What to know about China's rare ballistic missile test and why it raises concerns

China’s rare ballistic missile test raised international concern after a navy launch from a nuclear-powered submarine Monday into the Pacific. According to the Associated Press, experts said the move demonstrated Beijing’s growing skills under its nuclear deterrence strategy, and it was the second recent instance of a ballistic missile fired into international waters. While China provided some prior notice, critics said it was insufficient, escalating tensions tied to increasing militarization in Asia. Experts believe the missile could be a JL-2 or JL-3, both submarine-launched systems; Xinhua reported it was routine annual training, complied with international law, and carried a dummy warhead, not a nuclear one. New Zealand said the test violated the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone under the 1986 Treaty of Rarotonga. Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese protested in Honiara, arguing China did not give enough notice and called it destabilizing. The article notes multiple countries issued protests.