← Back to news
July 6, 2026
China Conducts Ballistic Missile Test in Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone
- The Chinese military launched a long-range ballistic missile from a submarine in the South Pacific.
- This is China's first missile test in the Pacific in two years, landing within the Nuclear Free Zone.
- Australia and New Zealand condemned the test, citing violations of the 1986 Treaty of Rarotonga.
- The test coincided with a new mutual defense treaty between Australia and Fiji, aimed at countering Chinese influence.
4 Sources
- Australia and Fiji strike new defence allianceJul 6, 2026 at 1:54 AM · Reuters
- China test fires missile into Pacific, alarming regional powersJul 6, 2026 at 6:25 AM · Reuters
- China Test Fires Long Range Ballistic Missile in the Pacific, Angering NeighborsJul 6, 2026 at 6:28 AM · NYT
- China’s ballistic missile test in Pacific nuclear-free zone causes alarm in Australia and New ZealandJul 6, 2026 at 6:38 AM · Independent