41 Nations Demand 24-Hour Missile Launch Warning After China Test

The United States and 40 other countries have called for at least 24 hours' notice before long-range ballistic missile launches.

This demand follows a Chinese missile test in the Pacific last month that raised concerns over accidents and military miscalculation. A joint statement released by the U.S. State Department on Tuesday urged countries, particularly nuclear-weapon states, to provide advance warning for launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and space launch vehicles.

The statement criticized recent missile testing activity in the Pacific area for failing to follow standard notification practices. The Chinese submarine-based launch, believed to be a Julang-2 or -3 ICBM carrying a dummy warhead, traveled roughly 4,500 miles over the Pacific. Japan and Australia stated Beijing provided no more than two hours' notice. The U.S. and allies condemned the launch as destabilizing.

China has rejected the statement, with Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs Li Chijiang accusing Washington of political manipulation and applying double standards. Li stated China has conducted three ICBM tests while the U.S. has carried out over 300. The 41 countries also requested information on the general class of missile, planned launch window, launch area, and intended direction, and urged governments to issue warnings to aircraft and ships about expected impact or landing areas. The U.S. offers advance notice of launches in line with the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation.