US, South Korea, Japan and 40 Nations Criticize Pacific Missile Tests, Targeting China's SLBM

▲ A file photo of China launching an SLBM on July 6

South Korea, the United States, Japan, and major European nations, totaling 40 countries, issued a joint statement on August 11 (local time) appearing to target China's recent submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test launch.

According to the U.S. Department of State, these countries pointed out in the statement that "recent missile test activities in the Pacific region did not follow the standard practices adopted by most nations to provide notification of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), SLBM, and space launch vehicle (SLV) launches and to avoid conflicts."

The statement recalled the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC), under which 145 countries provide prior notification to nations affected by ICBM, SLBM, and SLV launches.

The statement criticized that "conducting ballistic missile tests capable of carrying nuclear weapons without sufficient prior notification and detailed information is dangerous and undermines the peace and security of neighboring countries affected by such tests."

It emphasized that such ballistic missile tests "increase the risk of miscalculation, undermine global stability and security, and are incompatible with the responsibilities entailed in possessing long-range missile capabilities."

"We urge all countries that launch ICBMs, SLBMs, and SLVs, particularly nuclear-armed states, to provide at least 24 hours' advance notice of such launches," the statement urged, adding that the advance notice should include the type of projectile, the scheduled launch notification window, the launch area, and the intended launch direction.

The statement declared, "We are committed to working with all countries to strengthen and expand the implementation of the notification regime, and to holding accountable any state whose actions fall short of its responsibilities."

Although the statement did not name a specific country, it is interpreted as targeting China based on the phrasing "recent SLBM test launch by a nuclear-armed state in the Pacific region."

China announced that on the 6th at 12:01 PM (local time), one of its naval strategic nuclear submarines successfully launched a "submarine-launched strategic missile" equipped with a mock training warhead into the high seas of the Pacific.

While the specifications of the missile were not disclosed, Chinese media reports suggested that the missile was the Julang-3 (JL-3) SLBM, which has a range covering the entire United States.

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