China has test-fired a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific Ocean, state news agency Xinhua reported, drawing criticism from Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The missile landed in “designated waters” in the South Pacific at 12:01 pm local time (04:01 GMT) on Monday, according to Xinhua.

Xinhua described the test as a “routine arrangement” of China’s annual military training and said it was not directed at any specific target. However, regional allies expressed concern over the lack of transparency and the potential for destabilization.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that China had notified the government of its plans but called the action “destabilising” to the region. “Australia has been clear that this proposed test is in the context of a rapid military build-up by China, which is lacking in the transparency and reassurance as to intent that the region expects,” Wong told reporters in Suva, Fiji.

Japan’s government said it was notified of the launch and had urged China to reconsider. “We expressed our grave concern over the Chinese military’s increased activity,” the government said, noting that Japan’s coastguard had been warned on Sunday by Chinese authorities about possible falling space debris within Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

New Zealand’s government said it was informed of the planned launch within hours of it taking place. “New Zealand considers this an unwelcome and concerning development. We, like our neighbours in other Pacific countries, have no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.

Source: www.aljazeera.com