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China's navy announced on Monday that it had successfully conducted a test launch of a missile in the Pacific Ocean, following warnings from regional countries that Beijing was planning to test an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Spokesman Wang Xueyong said in a statement posted on the navy's account on Chinese social media app WeChat: "At 12:01 pm on July 6, a strategic nuclear submarine under the People's Liberation Army Navy successfully launched a strategic missile carrying a training warhead into the high seas of the Pacific Ocean, where it precisely landed in the designated maritime zone."

China's state news agency Xinhua said the test was a "routine arrangement" as part of China's annual military exercises, and that relevant countries had been notified in advance.

From the Chinese test (social media)

Japan urged it to back down

Japan, for its part, said it had strongly urged China to cancel its missile test in the Pacific Ocean, following Beijing's announcement on Monday of the test, of which Tokyo had been informed beforehand.

A joint statement issued before the launch by several Japanese ministries, including defense and foreign affairs, said: "We strongly requested reconsideration of the launch of this experimental ballistic missile to ensure it does not pose a threat to Japan's security, especially by passing through its airspace."

Australian media had reported earlier Monday that China was preparing to conduct a test launch of a ballistic missile with nuclear capabilities carrying a dummy warhead in the South Pacific within the next 24 hours, adding that diplomats in the region had been notified of the launch.

The test comes after Australia and Fiji signed a major defense alliance agreement earlier on Monday, under which each country commits to assist the other in the event of an attack, according to Reuters news agency.

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