Archive · 12 Aug 2026
US Criticizes China Over Nuclear Missile Test in Pacific
Countries often warn each other before they test big, powerful rockets called missiles.
The United States says China tested one of these missiles in the Pacific Ocean without warning everyone in time.
China said it did tell some countries, but the US says those countries only found out about two hours before the launch.
These missiles are special because they can carry nuclear weapons, and other countries worry about them.
The US complained about this at a big meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
An American official said China's behavior was confusing and not careful.
A Chinese official answered that China warned the US and other countries and did everything safely.
Many countries, including the US, have promised to give advance notice for missile tests, but the US says China didn't follow that promise.
Still, the two countries are trying to stay friendly, and China's leader plans to visit the US in September.
The US criticized China for giving insufficient notice before its July 6 submarine-launched, nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile test in the Pacific Ocean.
State Department official Victoria Nibarger called Beijing's approach 'confusing and provocative' at a disarmament conference in Geneva.
China rejected the criticism, with Li Chijiang insisting Beijing gave advance notification to the US and other countries and acted responsibly.
The Trump administration is pressing China for greater transparency over its growing nuclear arsenal, and the US is among 41 countries committed to advance notice for such launches.
Washington and Beijing are working to keep preparations on track for Xi Jinping's planned September visit to the US.
- Who
- US State Department official Victoria Nibarger and China's deputy UN representative Li Chijiang, speaking at a disarmament conference in Geneva.
- What
- The US criticized China over insufficient notice for its submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile test in the Pacific Ocean, while China denied the claim.
- When
- The missile test took place on July 6; the US criticism came in the following month.
- Where
- The missile test occurred in the Pacific Ocean; the diplomatic exchange took place at a disarmament conference in Geneva.
- Why
- The US seeks greater transparency from China over its growing nuclear arsenal and adherence to standard advance-notice practices.
United States
China
Notice before the missile test
United States
China failed to warn all potentially affected countries, and those it did notify received at best two hours' notice.
China
China provided advance notification to the US and other countries and took prudent, reasonable measures to ensure no country's interests were harmed.
Conduct of the launch
United States
Beijing chose a 'confusing and provocative approach' instead of transparency and sufficient notice.
China
China conducted the launch in a 'safe, standardized and responsible manner,' fully demonstrating its goodwill and responsible approach.
Compliance with international practice
United States
Recent missile testing activity in the Pacific area did not follow the standard practices adopted by most states, as reflected in a 41-country advance-notice commitment.
China
China has consistently conducted intercontinental ballistic missile test launches in a safe, standardized and responsible manner.
- Missile test date
- July 6
- Missile type
- Submarine-launched, nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile
- Test location
- Pacific Ocean
- US official
- Victoria Nibarger, State Department official
- Chinese official
- Li Chijiang, deputy permanent representative to the UN in Geneva
- Advance-notice commitment
- Signed by 41 countries, including the US
- Missile production trend
- China ramped up missile production last year by the most since Xi Jinping became president in 2013 (Bloomberg analysis, May)
- Upcoming event
- Xi Jinping's planned visit to the US in September