In a rare and provocative move, China test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile ( ICBM ) into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, signaling its growing military prowess as tensions simmer in a region fraught with overlapping territorial claims and escalating US-China rivalry .
The missile, launched by the People’s Liberation Army ’s (PLA) Rocket Force, carried a dummy warhead and landed in a designated area in the Pacific, according to a statement by China’s defense ministry . While the ministry stressed the test was part of routine training and "not aimed at any country or target," military analysts saw a different message.
Strategic timing or routine drill?
The choice to fire the ICBM into international waters, something China rarely does, was seen as more than just routine. Experts suggest it was a carefully timed demonstration aimed at the US and its allies, particularly Japan and the Philippines, who have growing concerns over China’s assertive stance in the South China Sea and Taiwan .
“There is no other potential audience,” remarked Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute. "China doesn’t expect a military confrontation with the EU or the UK, so this was clearly aimed at the US and its allies in the region.”
This show of force comes just weeks before an anticipated phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, adding another layer to the already tense relations between the two nations.
A blunt signal
For many, the timing couldn’t be more pointed. The launch coincided with the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a stage where global leaders gather to discuss peace and stability. “It’s a pretty blunt signal to the international order,” said Drew Thompson, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. “China is signaling that its patience has limits and that it is prepared to use its most powerful weapons to either deter or punish adversaries if needed.”
Taiwan, which China claims as its own, is particularly wary of these developments. Its Defense Ministry confirmed it was closely monitoring both the missile launch and other military activities by China in the region.
Power struggles within
This missile test also arrives at a time when China’s Rocket Force is under internal scrutiny, following the arrests of several senior officers on corruption charges earlier this year. The test, according to some analysts, could be intended to reassure both domestic and international audiences that these issues have been resolved and the Rocket Force remains fully operational.
A growing military powerhouse
China’s military has undergone rapid modernization under Xi Jinping, and the test was yet another reminder of the country’s expanding capabilities. With the world’s largest standing army and navy, China has become a formidable force. Its defense budget, the second largest globally, continues to grow despite economic challenges.
US reports estimate China currently has over 500 operational nuclear warheads , with projections of over 1,000 by 2030. While China has not revealed the exact size of its arsenal, these figures are still dwarfed by the nuclear stockpiles of Russia and the US, which both hold over 5,000 warheads.
Wednesday's missile test adds to the growing list of military demonstrations in the region. North Korea has continued testing its own ICBMs, and earlier this year, the US conducted similar tests from California. But China’s latest move stands out due to its rarity and the complex political backdrop surrounding it.
The missile, launched by the People’s Liberation Army ’s (PLA) Rocket Force, carried a dummy warhead and landed in a designated area in the Pacific, according to a statement by China’s defense ministry . While the ministry stressed the test was part of routine training and "not aimed at any country or target," military analysts saw a different message.
Strategic timing or routine drill?
The choice to fire the ICBM into international waters, something China rarely does, was seen as more than just routine. Experts suggest it was a carefully timed demonstration aimed at the US and its allies, particularly Japan and the Philippines, who have growing concerns over China’s assertive stance in the South China Sea and Taiwan .
“There is no other potential audience,” remarked Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute. "China doesn’t expect a military confrontation with the EU or the UK, so this was clearly aimed at the US and its allies in the region.”
This show of force comes just weeks before an anticipated phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, adding another layer to the already tense relations between the two nations.
A blunt signal
For many, the timing couldn’t be more pointed. The launch coincided with the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a stage where global leaders gather to discuss peace and stability. “It’s a pretty blunt signal to the international order,” said Drew Thompson, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. “China is signaling that its patience has limits and that it is prepared to use its most powerful weapons to either deter or punish adversaries if needed.”
Taiwan, which China claims as its own, is particularly wary of these developments. Its Defense Ministry confirmed it was closely monitoring both the missile launch and other military activities by China in the region.
Power struggles within
This missile test also arrives at a time when China’s Rocket Force is under internal scrutiny, following the arrests of several senior officers on corruption charges earlier this year. The test, according to some analysts, could be intended to reassure both domestic and international audiences that these issues have been resolved and the Rocket Force remains fully operational.
A growing military powerhouse
China’s military has undergone rapid modernization under Xi Jinping, and the test was yet another reminder of the country’s expanding capabilities. With the world’s largest standing army and navy, China has become a formidable force. Its defense budget, the second largest globally, continues to grow despite economic challenges.
US reports estimate China currently has over 500 operational nuclear warheads , with projections of over 1,000 by 2030. While China has not revealed the exact size of its arsenal, these figures are still dwarfed by the nuclear stockpiles of Russia and the US, which both hold over 5,000 warheads.
Wednesday's missile test adds to the growing list of military demonstrations in the region. North Korea has continued testing its own ICBMs, and earlier this year, the US conducted similar tests from California. But China’s latest move stands out due to its rarity and the complex political backdrop surrounding it.
