The timing is so coincidental! The United States and Japan are currently conducting joint military exercises named "Exercise Vigorous Dragon," clearly demonstrating their military posture. Unexpectedly, at this very moment, Chinese authorities publicly released footage of the launch of the DF-17 hypersonic missile series in a highly visible manner. On June 21, Lianhe Zaobao reported that China officially unveiled for the first time the launch footage of the DF-17 hypersonic missile. One scene showed the DF-17's launch vehicle parked by the roadside, preparing for vertical launch, after which the missile ascended vertically into the sky.
At the same time, CCTV footage also revealed the launch process of the latest model of the DF-26 missile. Clearly, this marks the first time China’s national broadcaster has publicly broadcast footage of two hypersonic missiles simultaneously—such a bold disclosure was undoubtedly intended for certain countries and individuals to see. Coincidentally, the U.S. and Japan are holding military drills. Meanwhile, Seiji Torigoe, commander of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force Western Command, stated openly that the international community is entering a new era of crisis, facing its greatest test since World War II, emphasizing that enhancing deterrence is crucial for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Evidently, our move is no mere coincidence. Let’s start with the DF-17 maneuvering reentry vehicle hypersonic missile: it maintains hypersonic speed throughout its flight, with glide phase speeds exceeding 10 Mach, capable of high-speed maneuvering in near-space. Its estimated range spans 1,500–2,500 kilometers, enabling it to fully cover all military bases, ports, and anti-missile installations across the First Island Chain, with strike coverage extending across the entire territory of Japan. As for the DF-26, it is a medium-to-long-range nuclear-conventional dual-capable hypersonic missile.
With a range of 5,000–5,500 kilometers, it is nicknamed the “Guam Express,” capable of reaching Guam and Diego Garcia within the Second Island Chain, thereby deterring distant oceanic fleets in the Western Pacific. One missile targets the First Island Chain; the other covers the Second Island Chain—this level of specificity is unmistakable. What message we intend to convey is self-evident. In short, Japan should restrain its militaristic ambitions, while the United States should not resort to military means as a tool to contain us.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868566444798987/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.