China's Rare Missile Test Will Push Wary Asia Pacific Countries to Close Ranks, Analysts Say The People's Liberation Army Navy submarine firing of a ballistic missile from the Pacific has sent shockwaves through the region.
Behind this show of force lies a more complex calculus: China's push to establish a nuclear triad – the ability to deliver warheads from land, air, and sea – is not just about demonstrating military might but also a strategic move to assert its position in any regional crisis or conflict with the US.
This test launch is part of Beijing's ongoing efforts to modernize its military, including its nuclear forces.