Richard Marles refuses to answer the question every Aussie wants to know after China test-launched nuclear-capable missile in the Pacific

By NICHOLAS COMINO, POLITICAL REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 00:09, 7 July 2026 | Updated: 00:28, 7 July 2026 Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has refused to reveal where a long-range missile armed with a dummy warhead landed in the Pacific after it was test-launched by China. Marles was pressed on the matter on Tuesday, saying it was 'not something that I can talk about publicly'. 'I mean it's not particularly close, but we're talking about the Pacific,' he told the ABC. 'In that sense what's relevant here is the capability that was being tested, the range that was being demonstrated, and the fact that China itself has said that this would be a nuclear capable missile and that fundamentally is deeply destabilising.' Chinese state-owned media outlet Xinhua stated a 'strategic nuclear submarine of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy successfully launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile carrying a simulated training warhead into the high seas of the Pacific Ocean' at 12.01pm on Monday. Head of Taiwan's national security council, Joseph Wu, had shared an image showing the missile travelling across Micronesia and Melanesia and disappearing into the ocean 1,000km north-east of Solomon Islands.  The ABC reported the missile flew over the Exclusive Economic Zones, passing over at least three Pacific island states, and landing closest to Tuvalu and Kiribati.  Sources earlier claimed the launch was in retaliation to Fiji's new defence deal with Australia as Beijing seeks greater influence in the region. Richard Marles (pictured) said that the Albanese government had expressed concern to China Marles insisted the test was not linked to the timing of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to the Pacific. Speaking with Sky News, Marles said the missile test highlighted China's growing military reach and reinforced the importance of Australia strengthening defence partnerships across the region. Marles called the test a destabilising development.  'We are concerned about what China has done and we've expressed that concern to China,' Marles said. 'This is a long-range missile test which China itself has said would be nuclear capable. 'It's been launched from a submarine, which also implies something about the range that China is building in terms of deploying nuclear capabilities, and all of that is obviously destabilising to the region.' Marles said Australia had formally raised its concerns with Beijing through diplomatic channels. 'We have expressed our concern at a direct government-to-government level, both in Canberra and Beijing,' he said. China launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile carrying a simulated training warhead (pictured, a rocket launched by China in 2024) The Defence Minister said Australian authorities were closely monitoring developments. China gave briefings about the testing to governments ahead of the launch.  Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who was one of several ministers given advance warning, took aim at the announcement.  'Australia has been clear with China that we regard this as destabilising to the region,' she said.  Shadow foreign minister Ted O'Brien labelled it 'irresponsible' and said it was 'not welcome'. 'On the very day that Australia is joining with one of its closest Pacific island neighbours to talk an ocean of peace, the People's Republic of China has chosen to lob a missile in the region,' he said. 'This is not welcome news. I think it goes to a very clear contrast - between what the People's Republic of China is looking at this region for, compared to Australia.'