China has conducted a missile launch from a nuclear-powered People’s Liberation Army Navy submarine in the Western Pacific.Confirming the test, state news agency Xinhua said the missile was launched at 12.01 pm as part of a routine test that was not aimed at any specific country or target, adding that relevant countries had been notified in advance.China last tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in 2024, a rare event that highlighted the country’s increasing military capabilities.The latest submarine launch comes as China continues to expand its nuclear deterrent. Reuters has previously reported that the Pentagon believes Beijing now maintains near-continuous patrols by its Jin-class ballistic missile submarines, providing China with a more credible sea-based second-strike capability.China has increased its military activity in the western pacific as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) enters its peak annual exercise season. The period from July to September is typically the busiest time of the year for Chinese military exercisesThe New Zealand government said it was informed of the planned launch hours beforehand.“It appears that despite our long-standing concerns about this type of activity, China carried out the test within hours of informing us,” foreign minister Winston Peters told The Associated Press in a statement.News of the missile test broke just hours after Australia and Fiji announced a surprise new military pact, elevating the two country’s military alliance to the highest levels.The Oceans of Peace alliance includes a mutual defence obligation that would require either country to respond should the other come under military attack.