What Message is China Trying to Send with Its Recent ICBM Launch?

This week China conducted an ICBM test for the first time in 40 years.

China says it carried out a rare test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into international waters, sparking protests from neighbouring countries.

The launch on Wednesday – its first in more than 40 years – was “routine” and not aimed at any country or target, according to Beijing. Chinese media reported the government also gave “relevant countries” notice.

But Japan said it had not received a warning and expressed concerns, along with Australia and New Zealand.

BBC

Here is what Australia and New Zealand had to say in response to the ICBM test:

Australia and New Zealand are seeking an explanation from China about its test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific on Wednesday.

Both countries said they were concerned by any action that was destabilizing and raised the risk of miscalculation in the Pacific. New Zealand said Australia would join it in discussing the launch and sharing views with Pacific Island Forum representatives at the United Nations General Assembly this week. 

The Chinese military successfully launched the intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, its first such test in more than 40 years.

Benar News

Here is the believed trajectory of the ICBM test:

Map via Janes.

China is claiming this ICBM test is part of a regular training exercise, but clearly firing an ICBM is intended to send a message. That message has to be towards the U.S. because notice the missile flight is roughly the same distance it would take to reach Hawaii and it overflew the vicinity of Guam. Any contingency with Taiwan would involve U.S. forces from Hawaii and Guam and the Chinese is probably reminding both Trump and Harris who are running for president that they can easily reach both U.S. locations with their current missile technology.