China claims to have test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force launched the ICBM with a dummy warhead at 8.44am (00:55 GMT) on Wednesday, and it “fell into expected sea areas,” according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Defence.
It further stated that the launch was a “routine arrangement in our annual training plan” and not aimed at any specific country or target. It did not name the weapon tested, but one of its newest ICBMs is the DF-41, which was exhibited during the People’s Republic of China’s 70th anniversary celebrations in 2019 and has a range of 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers (7,400-9,320 miles)
According to the state-run Xinhua news agency, the relevant countries were told about the test ahead of time. It did not detail on the missile’s trajectory or where it had fallen.
The PLA Rocket Force, which manages the country’s conventional and nuclear missiles, has been entrusted with modernizing China’s nuclear forces in the face of stronger US missile defenses, enhanced observation capabilities, and reinforced alliances.
Last October, Washington stated that China was developing its nuclear arsenal faster than expected. China had more than 500 operable nuclear warheads as of May 2023 and was expected to have more than 1,000 by 2030, it stated.