The United States and 40 other nations have called for at least 24 hours’ notice before long-range ballistic missile launches, following a rare Chinese missile test in the Pacific last month that they said raised concerns over accidents and military miscalculation.
In a joint statement released by the US State Department on Tuesday, the governments called on countries – particularly nuclear-weapon states – to provide advance warning for launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and space launch vehicles.
While the statement did not name China, it criticised “recent missile testing activity in the Pacific area” that it said had failed to follow standard notification practices adopted by most states.
Beijing has rejected the statement, with one of its ambassadors accusing Washington of “political manipulation.”
Besides calling for at least 24 hours’ notice, the 41 countries requested information on the general class of missile, planned launch window, launch area and intended direction. Governments should also issue warnings to aircraft and ships about expected impact or landing areas.
“Conducting nuclear-capable ballistic missile tests without sufficient advance notice and detail is dangerous,” the statement said, warning that this increased the risk of miscalculation and undermined global stability and security.