On Wednesday, China launched a missile into the Pacific Ocean, following a speech by President Biden on the global stage in which he emphasized the need for security in the region.
The Ministry of Defense of the People’s Republic of China announced that the military had fired an intercontinental ballistic missile earlier that morning.
The missile, equipped with a dummy warhead and not intended to target any specific nation, landed in the ocean without causing any incidents. According to the People’s Liberation Army’s Rocket Force, this launch was part of their routine military training exercises.
Just hours before the missile launch, President Biden delivered his final address to the United Nations in New York City, where he highlighted various international security concerns.
He specifically addressed the threat posed by China to Western interests and stressed the need for peace.
“We must also uphold our principles as we responsibly manage competition with China to prevent it from escalating into conflict,” Biden said. “We are ready to collaborate on urgent challenges for the benefit of our people and people around the world.”
Biden Addresses UN
President Biden also noted the recent resumption of cooperation with China to combat the flow of deadly synthetic narcotics. “I appreciate the collaboration. It matters for the people in my country and many others around the world,” he remarked.
Biden also called attention to the “military coercion” being exerted on Taiwan and other areas in the region.
He underscored the U.S.’s stance on resisting economic competition deemed unfair and military threats in the South China Sea, reaffirming the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that they had been informed of China’s missile test in advance.
A spokesperson told Fox News Digital, “We monitored the PRC ICBM test launch that occurred earlier today. The PRC provided some advance notice of the test, which is a positive step toward reducing risks of misperception and miscalculation.”
The spokesperson further commented, “This move could contribute to establishing a more formalized bilateral notification arrangement for ballistic missile and space launches—something the U.S. government has previously proposed to the PRC. It is a sensible confidence-building measure.”
