Beijing, July 6 (AseanAll)  —  The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on July 6,2026 successfully conducted the test launch of a strategic missile by a submarine.

CCTVNEWS

The PLA Navy said that one strategic nuclear submarine of the navy successfully launched a strategic missile carrying a dummy warhead toward relevant high seas of the Pacific Ocean at 12:01 p.m. on July 6, which landed precisely within the designated waters.

The test launch is a routine arrangement of the annual training of the PLA Navy, the navy said, adding that the Chinese side has already notified relevant countries in advance.

The test launch complies with international law and international practice, and is not directed at any specific country or target, the navy said.

At the regular press conference of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs held on July 6, a reporter from Agence France-Presse raised a question. He said the missile test launch had drawn criticism from Japan, Australia, New Zealand and other nations. The Japanese government claimed it had strongly urged China beforehand to rethink the test launch, and asked for the Foreign Ministry’s comments on the matter.

In response, Mao Ning, Spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated that the launch constituted a routine military training exercise targeting no specific country or objective. Relevant countries had been notified ahead of the operation. The test complies with international law and established international customary practices. The whole launch process was conducted safely, standardly and professionally. China hopes relevant countries will avoid over-interpreting the activity.