China's 1,000-mile robot alarms after test

It may have been the first display of arms of its kind since 1980. Now, a number of neighboring countries are protesting against China's robot test in the Pacific Ocean. But Beijing assures that nothing has changed.

» Updated:

» Published:

China's 1,000-mile robot alarms after test
Photo: Anders Humlebo/TT

Share this article

The weapon tested on Wednesday was an ICBM, an intercontinental missile that by definition has a range of at least 5,500 kilometers. And this one seems to be capable of much more; according to French Polynesia, the missile landed near the Marquesas Islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean – over 10,000 kilometers from China.

The test missile was equipped with a fake warhead, but ICBMs are exclusively designed to carry nuclear weapons. And especially since China, as far as is known, has not conducted such a test over international waters since 1980, it raises great concern about what plans the dictatorship has.

Never First

A spokesperson who was asked about the matter in Beijing on Thursday assured, however, that the test launch was "routine".

China's nuclear weapons policy is very stable, unified, and predictable, said Zhang Xiaogang from the defense department according to news agencies.

We strictly follow the line of never being the first to use nuclear weapons, but having them for self-defense.

Zhang added that China "has promised not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states" – a highly topical issue since Russia said last week that it is prepared to use atomic bombs in more contexts than before.

"Unwelcome Development"

Meanwhile, Taiwan is sounding the alarm about an unusually high number of Chinese military planes around the island nation.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns China's continued military actions in the region, which threaten the peaceful situation", writes Taiwan's leadership in a communiqué, reports news agency AFP.

Australia is demanding an "explanation" from China, while New Zealand calls the missile "an unwelcome and worrying development".

"Ominous Signal"

Researchers tell news agency AP that the test is "a pretty ominous signal" to the Western world and its allies around the Pacific.

China is saying that its patience is limited, that the country is prepared to use its most powerful weapons to deter opponents – or punish them if necessary, says Drew Thompson, a political scientist based in Singapore.

Among the conflicts that this concerns are China's claims to the independent Taiwan, as well as border disputes over islands in the surrounding seas with, among others, Japan, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

The missile is believed to have been of the Dongfeng-31 AG type, which was presented in 2017.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Four Arrested for Projecting Trump and Epstein Image on Windsor Castle

Four Arrested for Projecting Trump and Epstein Image on Windsor Castle

Aid Groups Urge Global Intervention in Gaza Crisis

Aid Groups Urge Global Intervention in Gaza Crisis

Spain Records Deadliest Heatwave Amid Hottest Summer on Record

Spain Records Deadliest Heatwave Amid Hottest Summer on Record

UNICEF: 26000 Children in Gaza Suffer Acute Malnutrition

UNICEF: 26000 Children in Gaza Suffer Acute Malnutrition

Putin Observes Zapad Military Exercise with 100,000 Troops

Putin Observes Zapad Military Exercise with 100,000 Troops

Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect Faces Death Penalty Charges

Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect Faces Death Penalty Charges

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Israel's Powerful Offensive

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Israel's Powerful Offensive

EU Plans New Sanctions Against Israel Over Gaza Conflict

EU Plans New Sanctions Against Israel Over Gaza Conflict

Farc Leaders Sentenced for Kidnappings in Landmark Colombia Verdict

Farc Leaders Sentenced for Kidnappings in Landmark Colombia Verdict

Nato Praises Joint Efforts in Eastern Sentry Operation

Nato Praises Joint Efforts in Eastern Sentry Operation

Judge Drops Terror Charge Against Luigi Mangione in CEO Murder Case

Judge Drops Terror Charge Against Luigi Mangione in CEO Murder Case

Missile Fired at Israel from Yemen After Port Attack

Missile Fired at Israel from Yemen After Port Attack

Ukrainian Man Arrested for Suspected Drone Flight Over Polish Palace

Ukrainian Man Arrested for Suspected Drone Flight Over Polish Palace

Global Leaders Condemn Israel's Escalation in Gaza

Global Leaders Condemn Israel's Escalation in Gaza

Trump Cuts Colombia from Anti-Drug Allies List, Sparking Tensions

Trump Cuts Colombia from Anti-Drug Allies List, Sparking Tensions

Afghan Man Gets Life Sentence for Knife Attack at German Market

Afghan Man Gets Life Sentence for Knife Attack at German Market

Hungary Says USA Understands Its Position on Russian Oil and Gas

Hungary Says USA Understands Its Position on Russian Oil and Gas

Nord Stream Sabotage Suspect to Be Extradited to Germany

Nord Stream Sabotage Suspect to Be Extradited to Germany

Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett Call Netflix Documentary Problematic

Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett Call Netflix Documentary Problematic

UN Investigator Alleges Genocide by Israel in Gaza Strip

UN Investigator Alleges Genocide by Israel in Gaza Strip