An image released by the People’s Liberation Army on September 25, 2024, shows China’s recent ICBM launch. CNN
China recently announced the successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean. This public test, the first of its kind in over 40 years, has drawn attention from international analysts who believe it is a strategic message aimed at the United States and its allies during a period of heightened regional tensions.
The missile, carrying a non-explosive warhead, was launched at 8:44 a.m. local time and landed in a designated area of the Pacific Ocean. China's Defense Ministry confirmed the launch but did not provide details about the missile's flight path or specific landing point. While the ministry emphasized that this was part of routine training exercises and not directed at any specific nation, many experts see it as a bold move given the rising military activity in the region.
China’s official statement noted that the test was conducted by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force, testing the capabilities of both the troops and the equipment. The country also made it clear that they had informed relevant countries about the test in advance. A U.S. Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that the U.S. had received notice of the launch, describing it as a positive step toward preventing misunderstandings between the two nations.
This test marks the first time since 1980 that China has publicly launched an ICBM over the Pacific. In 1980, China tested its first ICBM, the DF-5, which traveled over 8,000 kilometers into the South Pacific. Since then, China has quietly conducted numerous ICBM tests within its own territory, with many landing in remote regions such as Xinjiang’s deserts.
Analysts believe the timing of this public ICBM test is significant. Tensions are rising in key areas like the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and South China Sea, where China has been involved in disputes with its neighbors, and there are concerns that this test could be a signal to the United States. According to experts, the launch serves as a reminder to Washington that any direct intervention in a conflict involving Taiwan could expose the U.S. to missile strikes. It is also seen as a warning to American allies in Asia, emphasizing China’s ability to fight on multiple fronts.
Some experts, like Drew Thompson from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, point out that China rarely announces its missile tests, making this public display notable. The timing could be linked to China’s ongoing efforts to assert itself in the region. Recent incidents, such as military incursions into Japanese airspace and confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels, have further raised tensions.
Questions remain about which nations China informed before the launch. While Japan confirmed it was not notified, other countries, including the U.S., did receive a warning. During the Cold War, the U.S. and the Soviet Union established protocols for notifying each other about missile tests, a practice that China has only partially adopted through agreements with Russia.
China’s nuclear arsenal has grown significantly under President Xi Jinping. Satellite images reveal the construction of hundreds of missile silos in Chinese deserts, and U.S. officials predict that China’s stockpile of nuclear warheads will grow rapidly in the coming years. By 2023, China had over 500 operational warheads and is expected to have more than 1,000 by 2030.
The recent ICBM test may also serve to demonstrate that China’s military strength remains intact despite a corruption scandal last year that saw the purge of several high-ranking officers in the PLA’s Rocket Force.
