WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States has confirmed it monitored China’s submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile test on Monday, as the Chinese military successfully fired an unarmed missile from a strategic nuclear submarine into the South Pacific, prompting Washington to urge Beijing to engage in meaningful arms control discussions.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy conducted the test, while the United States monitored the launch. The U.S. State Department, through spokesperson Tommy Pigott, acknowledged the test and called for arms control talks. China’s Defence Ministry spokesperson, Chen Xi, later responded to international concerns.
A Chinese strategic nuclear submarine launched an intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a training dummy warhead from the Bohai Sea, which travelled approximately 8,000 kilometres before landing in the South Pacific. The test was conducted with a simulated warhead, and China notified relevant countries in advance.
The test took place on Monday, July 6, 2026, at approximately 12:00 noon, according to Chinese state media. The U.S. responded on the same day, while China’s Defence Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday, July 7.
The missile was launched from a nuclear submarine operating in the Bohai Sea, a body of water off China’s northeastern coast. The missile travelled across the Pacific and landed in the South Pacific.
This marks the first time China has publicly disclosed a full-range test of its sea-based strategic deterrent from a nuclear submarine. The test demonstrates that China’s submarine-launched ballistic missiles can reach targets at intercontinental distances without the submarines needing to exit China’s coastal waters. China described the test as part of its annual routine military training, not targeting any specific country.
The United States, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand expressed concern. NATO’s Secretary-General also warned that China should not be underestimated. The U.S. State Department urged China to participate in arms control discussions and to regularly report its ballistic missile and space launch plans.
The test affects regional and global security dynamics, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, where the U.S. has maintained a network of missile defence systems. China’s Defence Ministry reiterated that it adheres to a defensive national defence policy and a self-defence nuclear strategy, maintaining its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security.
The submarine launched the missile from beneath the surface, and the U.S. tracked its trajectory using its network of satellites and radar systems. China notified relevant countries in advance and issued maritime safety notices, demonstrating transparency. The test was completed successfully, with the dummy warhead landing in a designated area of the South Pacific.
The test underscores the growing maturity of China’s sea-based nuclear deterrent and has intensified calls for strategic dialogue, even as Washington remains focused on multiple global conflicts.
