The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday condemned China’s recent ballistic missile test in the South Pacific, calling it a provocative display of military power.

As this developed, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported monitoring 74 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels in key areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS)last month.

The DND described the missile launch as “a reckless display of military power that shows little regard for smaller countries and the fragile ecological systems that sustain their people.”

“This launch serves no peaceful purpose and is a calculated act of taunting and provocation against those who reject China’s illegal expansionism and coercive conduct,” it said.

The DND said the Philippines stands with its Pacific partners in urging Beijing to “act responsibly and stop turning shared seas into arenas of intimidation and imperial ambition.”

Anxieties

AFP special spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad (ret.) said the missile test has heightened regional concerns.

“While noted as part of an annual training routine, such a demonstration of advanced strategic nuclear capability compounds existing regional anxieties,” Trinidad said.

He said the AFP remains committed to protecting Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea as the country prepares to mark the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award on 12 July.

The Chinese navy launched the long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the South Pacific on Monday, describing the exercise as a routine part of its annual military training.

The launch nevertheless drew criticism from several countries in the region.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the test as “destabilising,” saying it came amid China’s rapid military buildup and lacked the transparency expected by regional partners.

WPS incursions

Japan also expressed “grave concern” over China’s increasing military activities after being notified of the launch, while New Zealand said it had “no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability.”

Separately, the AFP said it monitored 74 People’s Liberation Army Navy and China Coast Guard vessels operating around four Philippine maritime features in June.

The military recorded 41 vessels around Bajo de Masinloc, 16 near Ayungin Shoal, eight around Escoda Shoal and nine near Pag-asa Island.

The AFP said the deployments reflected China’s continued “illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive” activities that undermine the rules-based international order and violate the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its maritime domain.