TOKYO: China’s rapid military build-up and lack of transparency around the matter is a “serious concern”, Japan’s government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said Wednesday following China test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile.
China’s Ministry of National Defense said that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force has launched the missile carrying a dummy warhead into the high seas in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday morning.
Xinhua quoted Ministry of National Defense as saying the missile fell into expected sea areas. It added that this was a usual arrangement in the annual training plan and relevant nations had been notified in advance. The launch has tested weaponry performance and military training effectiveness and achieved desired results, the ministry said.
A Japan Coast Guard official stated that it had also received a navigation warning from Beijing on Monday for “space debris” in three zones in South China Sea on Wednesday.
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It is rare for Beijing to fire long-range missiles into the sea as it often prefers to test them unannounced in isolated regions as Inner Mongolia.
Beijing Did not Inform Tokyo About Missile Launch: Official
Hayashi said that Beijing has been continuing to increase its defence budget at high levels, and rapidly strengthening its nuclear and missile abilities including ICBM. The official claimed that Beijing expanding its military activity around Japan. This trend, with lack of its transparency, is a serious concern for Tokyo and the world, Hayashi maintained.
Beijing did not inform Tokyo that it would test an intercontinental ballistic missile before launching it into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, the spokesman claimed. Hayashi said that there was no notice from China in advance regarding the ICBM launch.
In a statement, New Zealand said that a Chinese ballistic missile test that completed in the South Pacific was “a concerning development”, with Wellington promising to consult with Pacific allies further as details become clear.
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said that pacific leaders have articulated their expectation that they have a peaceful, stable, prosperous, and secure region.
