US and allies ask for 24-hour advance warning after China’s ballistic missile test

Just a month after China shocked every nation with a long-range ballistic missile test in the Pacific, the U.S. and other countries have called for a warning before any such planned launch. The U.S. Department of State issued the ‘Joint Statement on Notifications of Ballistic Missile Launches’, which has also been signed by 40 other countries. The countries include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Turkiye, Great Britain, among others. The call for issuing advance notifications includes prior notice for the launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and space launch vehicles (SLVs) to affected states. The joint statement mentions that the recent missile testing in the Pacific region “did not follow the standard practices adopted by most states to notify and deconflict ICBM, SLBM, and SLV launches.” However, China is not named in the joint statement, but all references to the missile test point towards Beijing’s recent launch. Conducting nuclear-capable ballistic missile tests with advance notice The joint statement calls on all countries, particularly the ones which have nuclear weapons in their arsenal, to issue advance warning for ballistic missile launches. It goes on to add that conducting “nuclear-capable ballistic missile tests without sufficient advance notice and detail is dangerous and disrupts the peace and security of relevant nations in proximity to these tests.” Moreover, the joint statement warns that such tests increase the risk of miscalculation and undermine global stability and security. Further, it is incompatible with the responsibilities that come with possessing long-range missile capabilities. “We call on all countries, particularly nuclear-weapon States, that launch ICBMs, SLBMs, and SLVs to provide notification of such launches no less than 24 hours in advance,” the joint statement reads. It goes on to add that the advance notice should include other relevant information such as the generic class of the ballistic missile, the window for launch, area, and the direction. In addition, the countries conducting such a test should also include clear notes for airmen and mariners to reduce risk. “One hundred and forty-five countries participate in one such mechanism, the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC),” the joint statement reads. The U.S., Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, and others are signatories to the HCOC mechanism. The 41 countries stated that they are not against any form of weapon testing, military development, or operational needs. The joint statement aims to build confidence and reflect a shared commitment to security. China’s testing in July In July 2026, China test-launched a ballistic missile in the Pacific Ocean. This was the first publicly known ballistic missile launch conducted by Beijing from a nuclear-powered submarine since 1982. The test was conducted on the day China and Russia were scheduled to begin their annual joint naval exercise. The exercise was going to be held near Qingdao, a military port on China’s east coast. Some countries in the region, including Japan and Australia among others, confirmed that they had been notified about the launch in advance. However, Australia had raised concerns that this long-range missile test could raise tensions in the Pacific.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Abhishek brings a wealth of experience in covering diverse stories across different beats. Having contributed to renowned wire agencies and Indian media outlets like ANI and NDTV, he is keenly interested in Tech, Business and Defense coverage.