Toward Decline
China test-launches ballistic missile from sub in South Pacific, drawing protests - CBS News
Why it matters
China's SLBM test in the South Pacific directly demonstrates power projection into Australia's strategic neighbourhood and validates concerns about PLA capability to threaten the region. This reinforces the case for accelerated Australian maritime defence (Pillar 6) investment and AUKUS alliance deepening, while illustrating the North Indo-Pacific security vacuum that underpins Australia's Northern Arc exposure.
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