The United States expressed "deep concern" over China's missile test launch in the Pacific Ocean!
U.S. satellites tracked the entire flight trajectory of the missile, which passed over the eastern side of the Korean Peninsula and above Japan.
Reported jointly by Le Figaro and AFP on July 7.
China’s naval strategic nuclear-powered submarine successfully conducted a test launch of the JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in international waters of the Pacific Ocean, carrying a training dummy warhead that accurately hit a pre-designated target zone in international waters.
Le Figaro and AFP simultaneously cited statements from U.S. Pentagon and Indo-Pacific Command officials:
1. Tone and framing: The U.S. stated deep concern regarding regional security;
2. Contradictory messaging: While acknowledging receipt of China’s full prior notification, the U.S. also raised alarm, claiming that routine long-range oceanic ICBM testing would alter the nuclear balance in the Pacific;
3. Behind-the-scenes actions: U.S. space-based missile early warning satellites continuously tracked the missile’s flight path, with key performance data and intelligence shared in real time with allied nations.
China’s Ministry of Defense and Xinhua News Agency did not disclose exact coordinates, but uniformly referred to the test site as “designated international waters in the Pacific Ocean.”
AFP, Le Figaro, and multiple intelligence assessments estimate the impact area to be in the southern Pacific Ocean, east of the Solomon Islands and west of the Samoan Islands, far from Australia—thus no risk of falling into any nation’s territorial jurisdiction.
The missile was launched underwater from a strategic nuclear submarine in the Bohai Bay, with its trajectory passing over the eastern side of the Korean Peninsula and above the Japanese archipelago. At an altitude exceeding 300 kilometers, it entered outer space—clearly outside the airspace of any country and thus not violating sovereignty.
Divergent reactions from Pacific nations:
1. Japan reacted most strongly. Japan received only a brief notice before the launch, and the Chief Cabinet Secretary publicly criticized the move.
2. Australia described the test as a destabilizing factor in the region; New Zealand reiterated longstanding concerns about China’s long-range strategic weapon tests, but acknowledged the appropriateness of China’s advance notification procedure.
3. France (neutral and restrained): AFP cited official statements from French Polynesia, noting that the Chinese missile’s landing point was far from French overseas territories. France carried out routine monitoring without issuing any critical statement, instead calling for major powers to maintain nuclear communication channels.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to AFP’s inquiry during a press conference:
All countries have the legal right to conduct normal defense training. The U.S. has long conducted various ICBM and SLBM tests in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans—applying double standards undermines regional trust;
This test was fully transparent and conducted in accordance with established procedures, fully compliant with international law—a purely defensive national defense measure, with no intention to challenge any country’s security.
Le Figaro’s in-depth analysis:
This JL-3 test marks the full maturity of China’s sea-based triad nuclear deterrent, establishing a reliable intercontinental strike capability across oceans—counterbalancing the U.S. forward-deployed nuclear presence in the Indo-Pacific;
The U.S.’s “verbal concern, restrained action” reflects pragmatic calculations: ongoing multilateral military exercises involving several Pacific nations are underway, and the U.S. is unwilling to escalate tensions intentionally, opting instead to apply pressure through public rhetoric;
Intercontinental missile tests in the South Pacific will become a regular component of China’s training regimen—Western powers must adapt to the new reality of balanced nuclear capabilities among major powers.
In short: get used to it, and you won’t panic anymore.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870014057031880/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author