China launched an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean on September 25, 2024, marking the first time in 44 years that Beijing has publicly tested an ICBM in international waters. The missile carried a dummy warhead and traveled approximately 11,500 kilometers, landing in the Pacific high seas near the exclusive economic zone of Kiribati.
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense described the launch as a routine training exercise compliant with international law. Several Pacific island nations, including Fiji and Palau, raised concerns about regional stability and the lack of prior notification.
What actually happened
The ICBM was launched from Hainan Island, China’s southernmost province. This wasn’t a quiet affair. Public ICBM tests into international waters are exceedingly rare for China, with the last one dating back to 1980, when the country was still in the early stages of its nuclear modernization program.
China currently operates approximately six Jin-class (Type 094) nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. These vessels carry JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missiles with a reported range exceeding 10,000 kilometers. Beijing is also developing the next-generation Type 096 SSBNs.
