China Test-Fires Intercontinental Ballistic Missile into Pacific

China conducted a rare intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, firing it into the Pacific Ocean, sparking concerns from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. This marks China’s first such test in decades, signaling its nuclear modernization. Japan criticized the lack of advance notice, while Australia and New Zealand called the test destabilizing. China’s Defense Ministry described the launch as routine and in accordance with international law. As China’s military capabilities grow, tensions with the U.S. and regional partners over defense, including Taiwan and the South China Sea, continue to rise.