On Wednesday morning, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force executed a launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile targeted at open waters in the Pacific Ocean, showcasing its strategic deterrence capabilities. The missile, which was equipped with dummy warheads, took off at 8:44 am and successfully struck a designated area in the ocean, as confirmed by the PLA Rocket Force in a brief announcement.

Details regarding the type of missile and the specific launch location were not disclosed. The operation was reportedly part of the PLA’s annual training program, aimed at testing the missile's performance as well as assessing the level of training among the troops. The PLA Rocket Force stated that the objectives of the test were successfully met.

Additionally, the Chinese military had informed relevant nations about the missile test in advance. This event is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time in decades that China has publicly conducted a flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. According to prior information released by the Chinese military, the PLA Rocket Force possesses a variety of intercontinental ballistic missile types, including the DF-31AG, DF-5B, and DF-41, along with the JL-2 missile, which is designed for submarine launches.