TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported on Wednesday (Sept. 25) that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

At 10 a.m., the MND said the PLA Rocket Force conducted a test launch of an ICBM into the Pacific Ocean. The ministry added that Taiwan’s armed forces monitored the missile test, while reconnaissance operations sent combat patrol aircraft and naval vessels, and deployed land-based air defense missile systems to monitor the activity. 

China's state-run Xinhua News reported the PLA Rocket Force had launched an ICMB carrying a “dummy warhead” that landed in the “high seas in the Pacific Ocean.” According to Xinhua, the missile was fired at 8:44 a.m. from an undisclosed location.

Xinhua described the missile launch as routine and claimed that nearby countries had been notified in advance. It said the launch tested the weapon's performance and effectiveness of military training, achieving the “desired goals.” 

According to Up Media, the PLA rarely test-fires ICBMs into open seas like the Pacific Ocean. The last test of a DF-41 missile took place on Nov. 22, 2019, when it took off from a launch center in northwest China and hit a missile test range in the northwest Gobi Desert. The latest test of the DF-31 missile was on Oct. 1, 2019, also within China's borders.