China’s Indo-Pacific neighbors expressed concern after the Chinese military on Wednesday fired an international ballistic missile (ICBM); while Beijing said through state-run media that it had given relevant neighbors advanced notice, some top officials said they were unaware.
A spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told the media the missile test was “an unwelcome and concerning development.”
It was the first time in 44 years that China had launched an ICBM.
The Australian government said it has sought an explanation from China, a spokesman told media outlets.
“The launch comes in the context of China’s rapid military build-up, which is taking place without the transparency and reassurance that the region looks for from great powers,” the spokesperson said. “Australia is concerned by any action that is destabilizing and raises the risk of miscalculation in the region, and is consulting regional partners about this launch.”…