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China to test nuclear-capable missile in South Pacific

Breaking: China to test nuclear missile in South PacificChina to test nuclear-capable weapon in South Pacific

China plans to test-fire a nuclear-capable long-range missile with a dummy warhead in the South Pacific within the next 24 hours, according to regional diplomats.

The launch comes shortly after Australia signed a landmark defense treaty with Fiji, a move aimed partly at denying Beijing a security foothold in the region.

This test marks a significant escalation in China's military presence outside traditional zones and may reshape Pacific security dynamics.

  • China has not publicly tested a long-range nuclear missile in the South Pacific since 2015.
  • The South Pacific is a key route for submarine communications and undersea cable networks linking Asia to the Americas.
  • Fiji has historically maintained a neutral stance on global military alliances, prioritizing climate diplomacy over defense pacts.
China to test nuclear-capable missile in South Pacific | Implica