China fires nuclear-capable missile into Pacific, device falls near French Polynesia

According to the magazine Air et Cosmos, China fired a “nuclear-capable missile” without a payload from Hainan Island towards the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, September 25. The device reportedly landed near French Polynesia, 700 kilometers from Nuku Hiva and 875 kilometers from Bora Bora.

China conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test in the Pacific on Wednesday, the first of its kind since the 1980s. Air et Cosmos reports that the “The simulated nuclear warhead’s impact point was ‘not far’ from French Polynesia; 700 kilometres from Nuku Hiva and 875 kilometres from Bora Bora

The Armed Forces”successfully fired an intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a dummy training warhead into the Pacific Ocean on September 25 at 08:44 (00:44 GMT). It landed accurately within the predetermined maritime zone“, announced the Ministry of Defense in Beijing, which rarely communicates openly about exercises of this kind.This missile launch is part of the annual routine training program“, he “is consistent with international law and international practice and does not target any specific country or target” he assured.

This missile launch is part of the annual routine training program.

This launch has sparked protests from countries in the region, led by Japan, Australia and New Zealand, worried about the strengthening of China’s military potential. It also comes in a context of international tensions where the Indo-Pacific axis plays a major role. Between military and diplomatic maneuvers, the major powers seem to be increasing their presence in our region.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles are among the most powerful weapons and can carry devastating nuclear payloads.

For Sam Roggeveen, director of the Lowy Institute’s international security program, “It’s extremely rare. But China is in the process of significantly expanding its nuclear arsenal, including its intercontinental ballistic missiles. These are missiles capable of striking anywhere in the world, but especially the United States. So it’s not surprising that China needs to test this capability to make sure it’s reliable.

It is not surprising that China needs to test this capability to ensure it is reliable.

Sam Roggeveen, director of the Lowy Institute’s international security program

So, is this a simple military test or a political message? What is questionable is that these tests usually take place in its own airspace and not in the Pacific.

As a reminder, China and the United States are engaged in an intense struggle for influence in the Pacific. However, senior Chinese and American military officials held a video meeting in September as part of the two powers’ efforts to ease tensions and avoid any misinterpretation of their intentions. The United States regularly sends warships to the South China Sea to thwart Beijing’s territorial claims there, but also near Taiwan to support local leaders.

In mid-September, Russia launched a large-scale exercise “Ocean-2024“having the aim of”prepare“his troops, test”high precision weapons” and extend the “cooperation with the navies of partner countries“These maneuvers, which are taking place in particular in the Pacific Ocean, were conducted with China, whose influence in the Asia-Pacific region is causing increasing concern.


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