The Ministry of National Defense announced yesterday (Sept. 25) that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time in 44 years. This morning (Sept. 26), the PLA's official Weibo account released photos related to the launch.
The Weibo post detailed that at 8:44 a.m. yesterday (Sept. 25), the PLA Rocket Force launched an ICBM carrying a training simulation warhead into the Pacific Ocean's international waters. The missile accurately hit the predetermined area.
This launch is part of the Rocket Force's annual military training routine, effectively testing the performance of the weapons and the training level of the troops, achieving the intended objectives. China had notified relevant countries in advance.
The post did not specify the missile type, nor the exact range, altitude, direction, or the coordinates of the impact point. It also did not confirm the launch site, which is speculated by some to be near Hainan Island.
According to reports from mainland military medias, based on public airspace warnings, it is speculated that the missile was launched from near Hainan Island, with the impact point in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, having a range of over 12,000 kilometers.
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