China has launched a nuclear capable long range missile in the Pacific Ocean - just hours after Australia struck a landmark defence deal with Fiji.

China has test-fired a nuclear-capable long-range missile with a dummy warhead in the South Pacific, Chinse media has confirmed.

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.