Chinese Submarine Missile Test Raises "Serious Concerns" in Washington

SadaNews - On Monday, the United States expressed its "serious concerns" after China conducted a test to launch a "strategic" missile carrying a warhead from a submarine in the Pacific Ocean.

In a statement from the U.S. Department of State, it said: "At a time when the United States is making greater efforts than ever to prevent nuclear proliferation, China is doing the exact opposite. The rapid and opaque expansion of Beijing's nuclear arsenal poses a significant concern for the region and the world."

The Chinese navy announced on Monday that a "strategic nuclear submarine of the People's Liberation Army Navy successfully launched at 12:01pm on July 6 a strategic missile carrying a training warhead into the deep seas of the Pacific," noting that it "accurately fell into the designated maritime area."

In its statement, the U.S. State Department urged China to "engage in substantive discussions on arms reduction."

The United States called in February for the commencement of multilateral negotiations on nuclear arms reduction that include Beijing, following the expiration of the "New START" treaty between Washington and Moscow, which raised fears of a nuclear arms race.

The "New START" treaty was the last arms limitation agreement between the two major nuclear powers, the United States and Russia.

Washington accuses Russia and China of conducting secret tests.

In response, President Donald Trump announced last October that the United States is preparing to resume its nuclear tests for the first time since 1992, in response to tests conducted by other countries.