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Summary of article:
As China Central Television aired the rare display of the Dongfeng-61 and Dongfeng-100, several locations issued restrictions on airspace, sparking speculation that the Rocket Force might conduct a ballistic missile test launch or anti-missile interception test.
China CCTV recently showcased the Dongfeng-61 Intercontinentalballistic missile and the rare presence of the Dongfeng-100 long-range supersonic cruise missile. At the same time, several places in northern and northwestern China issued temporary airspace restrictions, triggeringPeople’s Liberation Army rocket army There is speculation that an intercontinental ballistic missile may have been tested, and even social media posts speculating that this may include a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile interception test.
According to a report by Hong Kong’s “South China Morning Post” on the 6th, a post on the military forum Sino Defense Forum reported that eight aviation notices issued on the 4th designated four temporary hazardous airspaces in northern and northwest China, restricting the entry of civilian aircraft on the 5th. Based on this, the post speculated that the Rocket Force could launch an intercontinental ballistic missile test.
The post was also accompanied by a map showing the missile’s possible path from Shanxi province to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Another Chinese social media post speculated that the People’s Liberation Army could simulate an intercontinental ballistic missile attack and then intercept.
Although the specific purpose of the airspace restriction was not specified in the relevant aviation notice, its location and timing were consistent with a potential ballistic missile test. The South China Morning Post also said it was unable to independently verify these social media posts.
The South China Morning Post reported that China has conducted domestic missile tests in the past without officially announcing it. The report quoted the US “Washington Free Beacon” as saying that China also issued a no-fly notice when testing the Dongfeng-41 intercontinental ballistic missile in 2017 and 2018. Among them, DF-41 was launched from Taiyuan, Shanxi Province on May 27, 2018. After flying thousands of miles, it hit a simulated target in the Gobi Desert in western China. The trajectory was similar to the map posted on this military forum.
Reports indicate that China rarely publicly reports missile test launches, and officially recognized test launches of major long-range strategic ballistic missiles are also quite limited. However, China has announced seven land-based mid-course anti-missile interception technology tests in the past, the most recent in April 2023.
In addition, with the 66th anniversary of the successful launch of China’s first Dongfeng series missile “Dongfeng-1”, CCTV reported on the 5th that the new land-based intercontinental missile Dongfeng-61, which was first publicly unveiled in Beijing on September 3, 2025, the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Anti-Japanese War, has now been installed in the rocket force.
The South China Morning Post also mentioned that CCTV has recently rarely shown photos of the Dongfeng-100 long-range supersonic cruise missile. The Dongfeng-100, also known as the Changjian-100, debuted at a military parade in 2019 and has rarely been seen in public since. According to reports, weapons like the Dongfeng-100 and Dongfeng-21D anti-ship missiles together form part of China’s broader anti-access and area denial strategy.
Summary FAQ
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Because several places in northern and northwestern China issued temporary airspace restrictions at the same time, and the time point and geographical location were considered to be consistent with the characteristics of the missile test; In addition, CCTV showed new missiles, which reminded the outside world of military testing.
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CCTV recently displayed the Dongfeng-61 intercontinental ballistic missile and released rarely seen photos of the Dongfeng-100 long-range supersonic cruise missile. The Dongfeng-100, also known as the Changjian-100, is rarely seen in public, the report said.
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The South China Morning Post reported that although the aviation notice did not specify the purpose of the ban, its timing and location were consistent with the ballistic missile testing situation; However, the relevant social posts could not be independently verified, and the actual motive has not been officially confirmed.
