US Urges China to Engage in Serious Arms Control Talks Following Submarine Missile Test

On Monday, the United States, through its State Department, sent a message to China urging the country to engage in serious discussions on arms control. This statement followed reports that the Chinese military conducted a missile launch test from a nuclear submarine aimed at the Pacific Ocean.

The missile test sparked widespread concerns and criticism from the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan. The U.S. State Department commented, "At a time when the United States is making more determined efforts than ever to prevent nuclear proliferation, China is doing the exact opposite."

In its statement, the U.S. urged China to commit to a mechanism for prior notification regarding intercontinental ballistic missile launches and space launches. The department emphasized that "Beijing’s rapid and opaque expansion of its nuclear arsenal is a source of serious concern for the region and the world."

Tomi Bigot, a spokesperson for the State Department, confirmed in a statement that the United States monitored a test launch conducted by China from a submarine using an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile, which landed in the South Pacific Ocean. He added, "We continue to urge China to engage in serious and effective arms control discussions," according to Reuters.

China’s official news agency Xinhua reported that a nuclear submarine of the People’s Liberation Army Navy launched the missile carrying a dummy warhead at 12:01 p.m. local time (0401 GMT). The agency stated the missile landed in "designated waters" without providing further details on the exact location.

Xinhua described the launch as a "routine arrangement" within China’s annual military exercises and asserted that it was not directed against any particular country or target.

New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Taiwan expressed their concerns about the test. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated that his country was deeply concerned about the test. The Japanese government confirmed it received prior notification of the missile launch and urged China to reconsider its decision.

Tokyo declared, "We have expressed our serious concern about the increasing activities of the Chinese military," adding that Chinese authorities notified the Japanese Coast Guard on Sunday about the possibility of debris falling within Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

Taiwan’s Presidential Office described the test as an attempt by China to intimidate the international community. A senior Taiwanese security official said on Monday that Taiwan is observing an "upward trend" in Chinese maritime activities during the peak military training season, including joint exercises with Russia.

According to Reuters, it is rare for Beijing to launch long-range missiles at sea. China’s last intercontinental ballistic missile test occurred in 2024, highlighting the country’s growing military capabilities.