Updated July 6, 2026 — 2:20pm,first published 2:17pmChina is preparing to test-fire a nuclear-capable long-range missile with a dummy warhead in the South Pacific in the next 24 hours, diplomats in the region have been told.The news, delivered to regional governments on Monday afternoon, came just hours after Australia and Fiji struck a new defence alliance.Chinese military vehicles carried weapons including a nuclear-capable missile designed to evade US defences as the Communist Party celebrated its 70th anniversary in power with a parade in Beijing in 2019.APDiplomatic sources confirmed to this masthead that Chinese officials had briefed various regional governments, including Australia, about an upcoming intercontinental ballistic missile test in the Pacific.China previously test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean in September 2024, the first such test since 1980.Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s office has been contacted for comment.More to comeFrom our partners
China to test nuclear-capable weapon in South Pacific
China is preparing to test-fire a nuclear-capable long-range missile with a dummy warhead in the South Pacific in the next 24 hours, diplomats in the region have been told.
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