Hong Kong, Sept 25 (Alliance News) – China announced the successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Wednesday, a rare public demonstration intended to send a strong message to the United States and its allies amid rising tensions in Asia.
The ICBM, which carried a dummy warhead, was launched at 8:44 a.m. Beijing time by the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force and landed in a designated area of the Pacific Ocean.
According to China’s Defense Ministry, the test was part of routine annual training, not aimed at any particular country.
However, analysts believe the timing and nature of the launch are meant to signal China’s military capabilities and its willingness to defend its interests in the face of growing friction in the region, especially concerning Taiwan and disputed waters in the South China Sea.
This is the first time China has launched an ICBM over the Pacific in more than four decades. In 1980, China conducted its first-ever ICBM test with the DF-5 missile, covering more than 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles).
Since then, most tests have occurred over Chinese territory, often landing in the remote Xinjiang desert.
Pentagon Reaction and International Implications
The Pentagon confirmed that it received advanced notification of the missile test, which they viewed as a “step in the right direction” to prevent miscalculation. Despite the official explanation from Beijing, analysts agree the test is likely aimed at sending a message to the U.S. and its allies, especially amid rising tensions around the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, noted that the test was a reminder to the U.S. that any intervention in Taiwan could lead to the American homeland being vulnerable to a retaliatory strike.
Drew Thompson, a senior fellow at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, remarked that the timing of this public test is significant given China’s increasing assertiveness in the region.
Regional Tensions and Military Posturing
The missile test comes as China and Russia conduct joint naval exercises near Japan, adding to the growing unease in the region.
Recently, China and the Philippines have been involved in maritime confrontations, and Taiwan has reported an increase in Chinese missile drills near the island.
Japan, meanwhile, has protested repeated airspace violations by Chinese and Russian military aircraft, further escalating tensions.
According to Thompson, the missile launch is a powerful statement from China, meant to “intimidate everyone” and signal Beijing’s readiness to defend its regional claims.
The missile tested is believed to be the DF-41, China’s most advanced ICBM, with a range of 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers (7,400 to 9,300 miles), capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.
As China continues to adopt a more assertive military posture, the international community will be closely watching how Beijing’s actions impact regional security dynamics, particularly in light of its ongoing disputes with neighbors and the U.S. over Taiwan and the South China Sea.
