Chinese state media says the launch was a JL-3 missile fired from a nuclear-powered submarine and that it impacted precisely inside designated safety zones, marking the second such sea-based test in two years.Beijing disclosed that its deployed nuclear arsenal stands at about 620 warheads and that annual defense spending is near $350B, while analysts note its ballistic-missile submarine fleet now surpasses Russia’s and features advanced stealth technologies.Taiwan condemned the launch as intimidation,
Australia,
New Zealand, and
Japan expressed serious concern, and analysts warn the more frequent
JL-3 tests and larger submarine force increase the risk of sea-based pressure on Taiwan, including blockades affecting
LNG terminals.