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China has tested an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 12,000 kilometers after 44 years

China has successfully conducted a test of its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), marking its first such launch in over 44 years. This significant event took place on September 25, 2024, when the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force launched the missile into the Pacific Ocean, demonstrating China's advancing military capabilities.

Details of the Missile Test​

  • Type of Missile: The missile tested is believed to be the Dongfeng-41 (DF-41), which boasts an operational range of 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers (approximately 7,500 to 9,300 miles). This range allows it to reach targets across the globe, including the mainland United States.
  • Launch Details: The test was carried out at approximately 8:44 AM local time and involved a dummy warhead. According to the Chinese defense ministry, the missile accurately landed in a designated area of the Pacific Ocean, fulfilling its intended purpose as part of a routine military training exercise.
  • Historical Context: The last publicly known ICBM test by China occurred in May 1980. Since then, China has focused on developing its nuclear capabilities but had not conducted a public test until now.

Strategic Implications​

The successful test of the DF-41 ICBM carries significant implications for regional and global security dynamics:
  1. Nuclear Deterrence: The DF-41's capabilities enhance China's nuclear deterrence posture and signal its commitment to maintaining a credible second-strike capability. This is particularly relevant amid rising tensions with the United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region.
  2. Response to Regional Tensions: The missile test comes at a time of heightened military activity in East Asia, including North Korea's recent missile tests and U.S. military deployments in response to perceived threats. China's actions are likely intended to assert its military strength and deter foreign intervention.
  3. International Reactions: The test may provoke reactions from other countries, particularly those within the U.S. sphere of influence. Japan and South Korea have expressed concerns over North Korea's missile activities; thus, China's ICBM test could further complicate security dynamics in the region.

Conclusion​

China's successful ICBM test represents a significant milestone in its military capabilities and serves as a reminder of the evolving security landscape in East Asia. As tensions continue to rise among major powers, this development underscores the importance of diplomatic efforts to manage conflicts and prevent escalation into broader confrontations. The international community will be closely monitoring China's next steps as it continues to modernize its military forces and assert its position on the global stage.



China confirms ‘successful’ intercontinental ballistic missile test — Radio Free Asia https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/icbm-test-missile-launch-09252024014557.html

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China has successfully conducted a test of its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), marking its first such launch in over 44 years. This significant event took place on September 25, 2024, when the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force launched the missile into the Pacific Ocean, demonstrating China's advancing military capabilities.

Details of the Missile Test​

  • Type of Missile: The missile tested is believed to be the Dongfeng-41 (DF-41), which boasts an operational range of 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers (approximately 7,500 to 9,300 miles). This range allows it to reach targets across the globe, including the mainland United States.
  • Launch Details: The test was carried out at approximately 8:44 AM local time and involved a dummy warhead. According to the Chinese defense ministry, the missile accurately landed in a designated area of the Pacific Ocean, fulfilling its intended purpose as part of a routine military training exercise.
  • Historical Context: The last publicly known ICBM test by China occurred in May 1980. Since then, China has focused on developing its nuclear capabilities but had not conducted a public test until now.

Strategic Implications​

The successful test of the DF-41 ICBM carries significant implications for regional and global security dynamics:
  1. Nuclear Deterrence: The DF-41's capabilities enhance China's nuclear deterrence posture and signal its commitment to maintaining a credible second-strike capability. This is particularly relevant amid rising tensions with the United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region.
  2. Response to Regional Tensions: The missile test comes at a time of heightened military activity in East Asia, including North Korea's recent missile tests and U.S. military deployments in response to perceived threats. China's actions are likely intended to assert its military strength and deter foreign intervention.
  3. International Reactions: The test may provoke reactions from other countries, particularly those within the U.S. sphere of influence. Japan and South Korea have expressed concerns over North Korea's missile activities; thus, China's ICBM test could further complicate security dynamics in the region.

Conclusion​

China's successful ICBM test represents a significant milestone in its military capabilities and serves as a reminder of the evolving security landscape in East Asia. As tensions continue to rise among major powers, this development underscores the importance of diplomatic efforts to manage conflicts and prevent escalation into broader confrontations. The international community will be closely monitoring China's next steps as it continues to modernize its military forces and assert its position on the global stage.



China confirms ‘successful’ intercontinental ballistic missile test — Radio Free Asia https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/icbm-test-missile-launch-09252024014557.html

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Tensions between Beijing and Washington have escalated sharply as China has reportedly conducted a test of an intercontinental hypersonic ballistic missile—marking its first such test launch since the 1980s. This move is likely to raise alarms in the U.S. and its allies, given the capabilities of hypersonic weapons, which can travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and are highly maneuverable, making them extremely difficult to detect and intercept.

Hypersonic weapons represent a significant advancement in missile technology due to their ability to evade missile defense systems and deliver precision strikes. China's growing investment in such technologies signals a shift in its military strategy, aimed at strengthening its deterrence capabilities against major powers, particularly the United States.

The timing of this test could be seen as a response to growing military and diplomatic tensions between China and the U.S., particularly in areas such as the South China Sea, Taiwan, and ongoing trade disputes. Washington has been increasingly vocal about its concerns regarding China's military expansion and strategic ambitions, while Beijing has criticized U.S. military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

This missile test is likely to further strain U.S.-China relations and could trigger discussions on arms control, strategic stability, and military deterrence as both nations navigate an already tense geopolitical landscape.

 
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