For those fussing over China's lawful missile test: a quiet conscience sleeps in thunder: China Daily editorial

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy announced on Monday that a strategic nuclear submarine had successfully launched a missile carrying a dummy warhead that landed precisely within the designated waters of the Pacific Ocean.

The test launch, part of the PLA Navy's annual training program, with relevant countries notified in advance, complied with international law and international practice, and was not directed at any specific country or target, the PLA Navy said.

Nonetheless, the test stirred up a flurry of baseless "accusations" from Japan, NATO and other parties keen on overinterpreting what was a straightforward legal action. They are attempting to mislead the international community by distorting China's legitimate action.

China is unwavering in its commitment to peaceful development and a self-defensive nuclear policy. Its nuclear forces are maintained at the minimal threshold required for national security, and any excessive interpretation by relevant countries is both unwarranted and unnecessary.

China's no-first-use policy has been the cornerstone of its nuclear strategy, setting it apart from the doctrines of other nuclear powers. By reinforcing its sea-based second-strike capability, a vital component of its "nuclear triad" of strategic nuclear forces, China is fortifying a deterrent. This deterrent is designed to negate the dangerous logic of "absolute military superiority", which some countries rashly pursue in the Asia-Pacific.

The irony is that finger-pointing parties, such as Japan, are clearly employing double standards, as they remain silent when their allies conduct multiple missile tests in the South Pacific.

Despite carefully cultivating an image of "nuclear victimhood", Japan's right-wing forces have been accumulating the materials and know-how required for nuclear weapons production. This pursuit stands in stark contrast to their willful silence on the nuclear nonproliferation implications of the AUKUS submarine arrangement, exposing a troubling inconsistency in their position.

Unsurprisingly, Japan has emerged as a cheerleader for the outcry against China's missile test. Under the Sanae Takaichi government, Tokyo has markedly accelerated its remilitarization drive, citing alleged "threats" from its neighbors as a pretext. In doing so, Japan has consistently engaged in provocative actions of various kinds, undermining regional stability.

In the latest move demonstrating its continued restraint, the China Coast Guard issued warnings and took lawful action to expel a Japanese boat that had trespassed into the territorial waters of Chiwei Island, part of China's Diaoyu Islands, on Tuesday.

This followed an incident four days ago, when Chinese vessels conducting scientific research in adjacent waters encountered Japanese harassment. As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday, the operations of Chinese scientific research vessels in the waters surrounding the Diaoyu Islands constitute the legitimate exercise of China's sovereign rights and jurisdiction, are fully consistent with international law, and are beyond reproach. China firmly opposes Japan's interference in these lawful activities and has lodged solemn representations with Japan.

Japan's defense minister is at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkiye, this week pushing hard to bring the alliance's war machinery into the Asia-Pacific — and NATO, eager to exploit Japan's military budget, is more than happy to play along. So it was only expected that Japan and NATO would join hands to make a fuss over China's missile test.

Beijing made clear the test was not aimed at any third party, yet those who owe historical debts to China — and those who harbor ill designs against it — can hardly hide their deep anxiety over Beijing's advanced strategic arsenal. That anxiety says nothing about a "China threat"; it says everything about Japan and NATO's own uneasy consciences.

By enhancing its strategic deterrence capabilities, China seeks to dissuade external forces and their allies from resorting to extreme military pressure that could undermine regional stability. All peace-loving nations clearly recognize China as a steadfast defender of regional peace — and those who choose to rattle their sabers at Beijing stand on the opposite side of that commitment.