China Tests Waves of Missiles Inland After Intercontinental Missile Launch

China's DF-41 nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles are seen during a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2019, to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry reported on Sept. 29 that the Chinese military is launching “multiple waves” of missiles inland in China, following the Chinese Rocket Force’s first test-fire of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) since 1980, just days ago.

Beginning at about 6:50 a.m. local time, the waves of missiles were fired in Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang, about 1,200 miles from Taiwan.

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry stated that it was “continuously monitoring relevant developments, and air defense forces have maintained a high level of vigilance and strengthened their alert.”

The ministry had earlier criticized the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for launching the ICBM into the Pacific with little notice to its neighbors, warning the international community that the CCP’s renewed military activity was creating instability in the region.

Last week, the ministry detected 29 aircraft joining Chinese warships for war games and another instance of 43 Chinese military aircraft operating around Taiwan, half of them moving through the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines. Days before that, the ministry detected the Chinese military carrying out multiple waves of live-fire drills near Korea and Japan.

These drills highlight “the hegemonic nature of an authoritarian regime that lacks policy stability, posing a serious challenge to neighboring countries,” according to the ministry.

Further south in the waters, the Chinese military has clashed with Philippine Coast Guard vessels, drawing international condemnation over the CCP’s military aggression and provocation.

These military actions have continued for the past several years and amped up this year.

In May, the Chinese military conducted large-scale war games coordinating its navy, air force, and rocket forces all aimed at Taiwan days after the Taiwanese presidential inauguration. The Chinese regime stated that the drills were to “test the ability to jointly seize power, launch joint attacks, and occupy key areas.” The CCP, which has never ruled Taiwan, claims the self-ruled island as its own territory.

Chinese authorities maintain that their activities are routine and legitimate.

In response to the CCP’s aggression, the United States and allies have been conducting larger joint-exercises in the Indo-Pacific as well, emphasizing peacekeeping and coordination.

On Sept. 28, the United States, the Philippines, Australia, and Japan conducted exercises in the South China Sea in Philippine territory.

Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, said that the joint drill demonstrates “our enduring commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and building our operational skillsets in one of the most dynamic maritime regions in the world.”