Taiwan has strongly criticized China's test launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) into the high seas of the Pacific Ocean, labeling the act a threat to the international community and a move that escalates regional tensions.

Kuo Ya-hui, spokesperson for the Presidential Office of Taiwan, stated on July 6, "Following a series of military pressures around the island chain, China is now threatening the international community with the test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile," adding, "We sternly condemn this series of unilateral actions."

Kuo noted that China is increasing instability in the Indo-Pacific region by expanding its military activities and so-called law enforcement in the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait, and urged Beijing to return to a rules-based international order and cease its unilateral actions.

Kuo further emphasized that leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) recently reaffirmed in a joint statement their opposition to any attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait.

"Taiwan will continue to strengthen its defense capabilities to maintain peace and expand cooperation with like-minded democratic allies to safeguard freedom, democracy, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region," Kuo added.

The Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan's agency responsible for cross-strait relations, also issued a statement criticizing the move, saying, "The Chinese military is escalating tensions in surrounding areas and undermining regional peace and stability by showing off its military might."

The Mainland Affairs Council stated, "Taiwan will firmly safeguard its national sovereignty, security, and regional peace and stability," and urged the international community to pay collective attention to China's military expansion and provocative threats.

China announced that it successfully launched one "submarine-launched strategic missile" carrying a dummy warhead for training purposes into the high seas of the Pacific at 12:01 p.m. local time today.

While China did not disclose the type of missile launched, military experts are raising the possibility that it is the JL-3, China's third-generation SLBM, which is capable of reaching most parts of the globe, including the U.S. mainland.