China test-fired an ICBM this week, launching it into the Pacific Ocean for the first time in over 40 years. Though it was anything but, China's Ministry of Defense said the test launch was "routine." China's intercontinental ballistic missile test on Wednesday was its first in the Pacific in over 40 years. China's ICBM test comes less than a week before the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Xinhua/Lin Yiguang via Getty ImagesThe publicly announced ICBM launch comes as PLARF expands its nuclear arsenal and builds up its missile capabilities.

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Persons: —, could've, Xu, Decker Eveleth, Tianran, Eveleth, Lin Yiguang, PLARF, Captain Ryan DeBooy Organizations: Service, Army's, Force, China's Ministry of Defense, China People's Liberation Army News, Communication Center, Open Nuclear Network, Business, Center for Naval, Getty, Department of Defense, Pentagon, US, Chinese Foreign Ministry Locations: China, Hainan, South, Pacific, Communication Center China, People's Republic of China, Xinhua, Japan, Guam, Russia, Philippines, Taiwan, Beijing, Taiwan Strait