Chinese ballistic missile test is said to undermine nuclear weapons-free zone in South Pacific

China conducted a submarine-launched ballistic missile test over the South Pacific, a region designated as a nuclear weapons-free zone under the Treaty of Rarotonga. While the test did not technically violate the treaty's text due to a non-nuclear dummy warhead, Pacific nations and analysts accused China of undermining the zone's spirit. New Zealand and Australia raised concerns, citing growing pressure from nuclear-armed states on such zones.