On September 25, 2024, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Rocket Force conducted a rare trial by launching an intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean. This event, photographed and later released by the Chinese military on September 26, has drawn ire from neighboring countries; Japan reported it had not received prior notification, while Taiwan issued a formal condemnation of the launch.

In response to the missile test, Australia requested clarification, and New Zealand expressed its concern, labeling the launch an unwelcome occurrence. Reports indicated that the missile fell near the Marquesas Islands, within French Polynesia’s exclusive economic zone, although French officials stated that prior notification was provided to France. Meanwhile, the Pentagon noted that the United States had received some advance warning of the launch and viewed this as a positive step to prevent misunderstandings.

Imagery released by China showcased the missile's ascent amid a cloud of smoke, leading analysts to speculate that the missile was likely a Dongfeng-31 AG, a type introduced during a military parade in 2017. China's military strategy has been evolving, with significant increases in defense spending and rapid development of its nuclear arsenal, prompting concerns from the Pentagon about the pace of military enhancements that may lead to over a thousand operational nuclear warheads by 2030.

demonstrating military capability and projecting strength in the face of growing tensions with the United States and its allies. Benjamin Ho, a scholar at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, emphasized that this test distinctly signals China's preparedness for any potential escalations in relations with the U.S.