China's submarine missile test and joint naval drills with Russia raise regional concerns

China launched a simulated nuclear warhead from a nuclear‑powered submarine in the Pacific Ocean, prompting the United States to voice “grave concern” and call for renewed arms‑control talks. The test followed a previous intercontinental missile launch in 2024 and was not aimed at any specific nation, though it heightened regional anxiety.

From July 6 to July 13, China and Russia will conduct their annual “Joint Sea‑2026” naval exercises near Qingdao on China’s eastern coast, extending into the Pacific. The drills involve Chinese destroyers, frigates, submarines and support ships, and Russian assets including the cruiser Varyag, a corvette, a diesel‑electric submarine and a rescue vessel. The exercises are structured in three phases—force assembly, harbor planning and at‑sea operations—covering joint reconnaissance, air‑ and missile‑defence and surface‑strike training. After the drills, both navies plan a joint maritime patrol in unspecified areas of the Pacific. Russian and Chinese officials stress the maneuvers are defensive, not targeted at any third country, while Western governments monitor the growing military partnership.