US expresses strong concern over China’s submarine‑launched ballistic missile test

The US State Department said on Monday it was “deeply concerned” about a test by China’s navy of an intercontinental‑range submarine‑launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in the Pacific Ocean. The missile carried a non‑functional, training warhead and was launched from a nuclear‑powered submarine at 12:01 local time.

In a statement signed by Deputy Secretary of State Tom Piggott, Washington urged Beijing to engage in “meaningful arms‑control talks,” noting that the “rapid and opaque expansion of the nuclear arsenal raises great concern in the region and worldwide.” The US highlighted the recent lapse of the New START treaty between the United States and Russia and called for multilateral negotiations that include China.

The Chinese navy confirmed the test, describing it as a routine exercise, while several regional governments issued statements of alarm following the launch.