China's ICBM Test: A Show of Strength

China has conducted a notable test of its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the DF-41, in the Pacific Ocean. This missile, capable of reaching distances between 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers, was launched with a dummy warhead as part of a routine military exercise aimed at assessing weapon performance.

The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force executed the test, adhering to its annual training schedule while notifying relevant nations in advance. This development underscores China's ongoing modernization of its nuclear capabilities, with estimates suggesting it possesses over 500 nuclear warheads, a number expected to rise significantly by 2030. The test highlights China's expansion of its nuclear arsenal, which contrasts sharply with the nuclear stockpiles of the US and Russia.

As such tests become more common, they raise regional and global concerns regarding military tensions and strategic stability.