Growing tensions: Japan alarmed by China's intercontinental missile test
Growing Chinese military activity in the region is a "serious cause for concern," stated Japanese government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi, referring to the intercontinental ballistic missile test conducted on Wednesday by the Chinese military.
China continues to increase its defense budget to a high level and is rapidly enhancing its nuclear and ballistic capabilities, while simultaneously intensifying military activity around Japan, said the spokesperson.
He added that authorities in Tokyo were not warned by Beijing about Wednesday's test. He noted, however, that the missile did not fly over the Japanese archipelago, and the military would continue to monitor the situation.
The Chinese military, through the Ministry of Defense, reported that at 8:44 AM (Beijing Time) on Wednesday, an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) equipped with a dummy warhead was launched. This was the first ICBM test conducted by China revealed in 44 years.
Significant concern in the Pacific following China's missile test
According to the state news agency Xinhua, China "notified interested countries in advance," but the report did not provide the missile's trajectory or place where it fell in the Pacific Ocean.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, during a press briefing in Beijing, refused to comment on the test, repeatedly suggesting journalists direct their questions to the Ministry of Defense. The Kyodo agency reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that on Tuesday the Chinese defense ministry notified the United States, Australia, and New Zealand in advance about the missile test.
However, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Winston Peters told AFP that the missile launch toward the southern Pacific was an "undesirable and concerning event." He added that authorities in Wellington would consult with allies in the Pacific region as new information on the matter emerges.
