China launches submarine missile for the first time in 44 years

The essay led to a wave of criticism from regional powers such as Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The governments of these allies have expressed concerns about Beijing's intentions. The launch was defended as legitimate by Russia, a partner of the Chinese.

"This, again, is evidence that we cannot be naive," said Dutch Mark Rutte, secretary general of the Western military alliance NATO. "And we are not", added he, who will lead the group's summit starting this Tuesday (7) in Ankara (Türkiye).

According to the state agency Xinhua, the shooting was described as "routine" and as something that did not target any specific adversary. No data was released regarding the trajectory of the missile or its model, whether the usual JL-2 with 8,000 km of range or the more modern JL-3, with up to 12 thousand km.

Both are fired by Jin-class nuclear-powered submarines, of which Beijing operates six units. Each carries up to 12 missiles for atomic strikes.

China is one of the countries that operates the so-called nuclear triad, that is, it has the capacity to employ atomic bombs launched from the ground, from submarines or from planes.

In the case of vessels, their primary function is, taking advantage of the secrecy of their position in the ocean, to guarantee the ability to retaliate in the event of an attack on Chinese territory. Submarines are also used for hypothetical first shots, but this is officially ruled out by Beijing.

Missile tests are common in the major atomic powers. Russia and the USA, leaders in nuclear arsenals with more than 5,000 warheads and almost 2,000 ready for use, launch routine launches.

China, the third largest power with around 600 bombs, rarely carries out tests. The most recent had occurred in 2024, involving a model fired by a DF-31B mobile launcher, which was launched into the sea from an island off the country's coast. It was the first rehearsal since the 1980s.

Beijing notified neighbors about the launch, as is international practice. Still, the Australian government considered the action "destabilizing".

This Monday, Australia and the island of Fiji signed a military cooperation agreement in the event of an external attack, the subject of criticism in China.

"We express our great concern about the increase in Chinese military activity," the Japanese foreign ministry said.

The launch also comes at a time of renewed tension between China and the autonomous island of Taiwan, which Xi Jinping's government says it will recapture by hook or by crook. On Saturday, the Chinese mobilized 110 vessels for a patrol along the territory's east coast, which was seen as yet another direct threat.

In addition, Beijing is carrying out a naval exercise with Moscow this week that was defined this Monday by the Kremlin as "vital for the stability" of the Pacific region.

The Russians sent a cruiser, a corvette, a diesel-electric submarine and a relief ship to the Qingdao region. It's not something new, but it follows a growing trend. Xi and Vladimir Putin signed the strategic partnership between the former rivals on the eve of the Ukrainian War in 2022.

Since then, military maneuvers and joint patrols with nuclear attack bombers in the Pacific have become commonplace.

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