Regional Concern After China Launches Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

U.S. lawmakers confirmed that the CCP now has more ICBM launchers than the United States, a fivefold quicker increase than the United States predicted.

China's DF-41 nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles are seen during a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2019. Greg Baker /AFP via Getty Images

China’s Indo-Pacific neighbors expressed concern after the Chinese military on Sept. 25 fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM); while Beijing stated 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.”