China conducts a missile test in the Pacific, raising concerns among several countries in the region

China on Monday conducted a test launch of a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Pacific Ocean, prompting criticism from Australia, Japan and New Zealand, who are concerned about Beijing's expanding military capabilities.

According to the official Xinhua news agency, a submarine belonging to the People's Liberation Army Navy launched a missile equipped with a dummy warhead into international waters in the Pacific Ocean. The projectile reached a designated maritime zone, though Chinese authorities did not specify its exact landing point. Beijing described the launch as a routine annual exercise, asserting that it was not aimed at any particular country.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong indicated that Canberra had been informed in advance of the launch, while denouncing a "destabilizing" initiative in a context of rapid strengthening of Chinese military capabilities and lack of transparency on its intentions.

This launch came just hours after Australia and Fiji signed a defense alliance, committing the two countries to mutual assistance in the event of an attack. Analysts believe the timing of the Chinese notification, transmitted after the signing of this agreement, is particularly significant.

New Zealand also expressed its deep concern. Its Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, regretted that China had conducted the launch only a few hours after warning Wellington, believing that Pacific nations do not want their region used as a missile testing ground.

Japan stated that it had received prior notification of a potential debris fallout before confirming that the missile had landed outside its exclusive economic zone. Tokyo, however, expressed deep concern over the intensification of Chinese military activities.

In response to criticism, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning asserted that the launch was conducted in a "safe, standardized and professional" manner and called on the countries concerned not to "overinterpret" the test.