The United States has sharply criticized China for providing only a few hours’ notice before conducting a ballistic missile test launch from a nuclear-powered submarine, calling the notification inadequate and inconsistent with the transparency expected from major nuclear powers.
The test, carried out on July 6 and later confirmed by Chinese state media, has heightened regional concerns over China’s rapidly expanding nuclear capabilities and renewed debate over military transparency in the Indo-Pacific.
Washington says notification fell short of international standards
A U.S. State Department official said China informed Washington only hours before the launch and failed to provide sufficient operational details.
According to the official, the notification fell well below the standards followed by the five recognized nuclear-weapon states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), known as the P5—the United States, China, Russia, France and the United Kingdom.
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The United States said such launches should be accompanied by advance diplomatic communication to reduce the risk of miscalculation.
Washington also described the missile test as particularly concerning given China’s rapid and largely opaque expansion of its nuclear arsenal.
Missile launched from nuclear-powered submarine
Chinese state media reported that the missile was launched from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific Ocean as part of annual military training.
Authorities described the launch as a routine exercise that was not directed at any specific country or military target.
Although Beijing did not officially identify the missile, Chinese military experts cited by state media suggested it was likely the JL-3, China’s most advanced submarine-launched ballistic missile.
According to previous Pentagon assessments, the JL-3 has sufficient range to strike the continental United States from waters near China’s coastline, significantly strengthening Beijing’s second-strike nuclear capability.
China rejects US criticism
China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed Washington’s criticism, accusing the United States of applying “double standards” and practicing hegemonism.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning argued that the United States, which conducts regular strategic missile tests of its own, had no standing to criticize China’s military exercises.
She urged Washington to view China’s defense modernization objectively and reiterated that China’s military development is defensive in nature.
Regional concerns grow
The missile launch drew criticism not only from the United States but also from Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan.
Governments across the region have increasingly expressed concern over China’s expanding military activities, particularly those involving long-range missiles and strategic nuclear forces.
The launch comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions across the Indo-Pacific, where military competition between China and the United States has intensified over Taiwan, the South China Sea and broader regional security.
Nuclear arms talks remain stalled
The incident also highlights the continued deadlock in nuclear arms control discussions between Washington and Beijing.
China suspended nascent nuclear dialogue with the United States in 2024 in protest over continued U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
Beijing has consistently argued that the United States possesses a much larger nuclear arsenal and therefore bears greater responsibility for pursuing arms reductions before expecting China to participate in formal limitations.
The United States, meanwhile, continues to urge China to engage in meaningful discussions on strategic stability and nuclear risk reduction as Beijing expands its nuclear forces.
Future outlook
The submarine missile launch is likely to add further strain to already tense U.S.-China relations and reinforce calls among America’s regional allies for greater military coordination in the Indo-Pacific.
With China’s nuclear modernization accelerating and bilateral arms control talks remaining frozen, future strategic missile tests could trigger stronger diplomatic protests and increase pressure for new mechanisms aimed at preventing misunderstandings between the world’s two largest military powers.
With information from Reuters.
