China Releases Photo of ICBM Launch for First Time in 44 Years One Day Later

Projectile, US Intelligence Observes 'Dongfeng-31' of North Korea

China released photos on the 26th of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch into the Pacific Ocean, conducted for the first time in 44 years.

Photo of ICBM Pacific launch released by China [Photo by Chinese Military WeChat account capture, Image source=Yonhap News]

The Chinese People's Liberation Army's social media account, Zhongguo Junhao (中國軍號), posted on WeChat (China's version of KakaoTalk) that the Rocket Force launched one ICBM equipped with a training dummy warhead at 8:44 a.m. local time the previous day into the international waters of the Pacific Ocean, accurately hitting the target area, along with four photos.

Regarding this, the Chinese state-run English newspaper China Daily explained that the photos show the missile, painted military blue, taking off from a launch pad located in what appears to be tropical shrubbery and soaring into the sky. Japan's Kyodo News, citing experts, reported that the ICBM launched by China appears to be the Dongfeng (DF)-31 AG, capable of striking the U.S. mainland. The Dongfeng-31 AG was previously unveiled at the 90th anniversary parade of the Chinese People's Liberation Army held in Inner Mongolia in July 2017.

This is the first time in 44 years since the DF-5 in 1980 that China has test-launched an ICBM into the Pacific. Although China stated it did not target any specific country, analysts suggest the launch was intended as a deterrent against AUKUS (the security alliance between the U.S., U.K., and Australia), which recently marked its third anniversary, or the U.S. military, which deployed a medium-range missile launch system to the Philippines in April.

The Chinese Ministry of National Defense stated the previous day that the ICBM launch was a "routine and lawful military exercise" and that there has been no change in its nuclear policy. Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said at a monthly briefing, "Our ICBM test launch is to verify the performance of weapon equipment and the training level of units. It is a routine military training activity and is completely legal and reasonable," adding, "China's nuclear policy is characterized by high stability, continuity, and predictability."

Spokesperson Zhang also said, "We consistently adhere to the nuclear policy of 'no first use' of nuclear weapons while unwaveringly implementing a self-defense and defensive nuclear strategy," and added, "We clearly promise not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states or regions, and maintain nuclear capabilities at the minimum level necessary for national security."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.