China conducted a long-range missile test in the South Pacific on Monday, shortly after Australia and Fiji formalized a new defence agreement. The test involved the launch of a “strategic missile carrying a training simulation warhead” from a Chinese nuclear submarine, according to a statement released by the Chinese navy, which confirmed the missile accurately landed within the intended maritime area. However, China’s defence ministry did not clarify whether the missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, a region where nuclear weapons and related test activities are prohibited, was reportedly the area into which the missile was fired. New Zealand’s government said it was notified several hours prior to the launch and expressed concern about the operation’s implications in what it considers a nuclear-free region.

Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, described the missile test as “destabilising” to the security environment in the Indo-Pacific. Her New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, also called the test “deeply concerning,” highlighting the heightened tensions in the region.

The missile launch coincided closely with Australia and Fiji signing the Ocean of Peace defence alliance, a strategic partnership intended to strengthen security cooperation and counterbalance China’s expanding influence in the Pacific. The Australian government has framed the agreement as part of broader efforts to promote stability and safeguard regional sovereignty in the face of China’s growing military activities.

The exact coordinates of the missile test were not disclosed by Chinese authorities, and analysts continue to assess the strategic implications of the launch. Officials from Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji have reiterated their commitment to maintaining a rules-based order in the region while urging all parties to avoid actions that could exacerbate regional tensions.