China’s military on Monday test-fired a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Pacific, state media reported, drawing criticism and concern from Japan, Australia and New Zealand over Beijing’s growing military reach.The official Xinhua news agency said a nuclear submarine of the People’s Liberation Army Navy launched a missile carrying a dummy warhead toward international waters in the Pacific at 12.01 p.m. local time. The missile fell in “specified waters”, without giving further details about the location.Monday’s launch was part of routine annual training, complied with international law and practice, and was not directed against any country or target, according to a brief statement by Xinhua, which was reposted by the Defense Ministry.Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that China had informed the Australian government about the planned test, but described the launch as “destabilizing” for the region. “The test was in the context of China’s rapid military buildup, which lacks the transparency and assurances the region expects,” Wong told reporters.The test comes just hours after Australia and Fiji signed a major defense alliance on Monday, with each country committing to come to the other’s aid if attacked. Beijing and Western powers, led by the US and Australia, have competed for years for influence in the strategically located island nations, and China has sought to expand its economic and security influence in the South Pacific.Beijing and Western powers, led by the US and Australia, have competed for years for influence in the strategically located island nations, and China has sought to expand its economic and security influence in the South Pacific.China maintains a policy of “no first use” of nuclear weapons, but is also actively pursuing nuclear technology and weaponry as part of its long-term strategy to modernize the People’s Liberation Army. China has a fleet of six ballistic-missile submarines and 59 nuclear-powered attack submarines, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a Washington-based think tank.Mark Douglas, an analyst at New Zealand-based ship tracking firm Starboard Maritime Intelligence, said the test was planned long ago, and said the timing of China’s notification – after Australia and Fiji signed the Oceans of Peace Alliance – was “interesting, to say the least”.Asked about the defense agreement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said China hopes the countries concerned will respect the independence and autonomy of the island nations and avoid targeting or harming the interests of third parties.New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters said that the country is extremely concerned by this test. “It appears that despite our long-standing concerns about this type of activity, China conducted the test within hours of notifying us,” Peters said in a statement. He said, “New Zealand considers this an unwanted and worrying development. We, like our neighbors in other Pacific countries, have no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing ground for missile capability.”The Japanese government said it had received information about the missile launch and urged China to reconsider. Tokyo said, “We have expressed our grave concern over the increasing activity of the Chinese military.” He said Chinese officials had informed Japan’s coast guard on Sunday about space debris that may have fallen within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).Responding to regional criticisms, Mao said the launch was conducted “in a safe, standardized and professional manner throughout”. “We hope that the countries concerned will not overextend this matter,” he told a briefing in Beijing.It is rare for China to launch long-range missiles into the sea. China last test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in 2024, a launch that highlighted the country’s growing military capabilities.