US, allies warn unannounced missile launches raise danger of deadly 'miscalculation'

The United States and around 40 allied nations have cautioned in a joint statement that unannounced missile tests pose a significant risk of unintended escalation and jeopardize regional stability. The statement, issued a month after China conducted a nuclear-capable ballistic missile test in the Pacific, emphasized that such unannounced launches disrupt peace and security in nearby countries.

Conducting missile tests without a minimum 24-hour notice, including details on missile type, launch window, target area, and direction, undermines global stability and is inconsistent with the obligations of nations possessing long-range missile capabilities, the statement warned. Countries should also provide clear alerts to aviation and maritime personnel, aligned with international protocols, to minimize potential risks in anticipated impact or landing zones.

Beijing's recent decision to give only a few nations advance notice of a test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile highlights the growing military assertiveness in a region where China has ambitions to expand its influence.