India, July 6 -- China has conducted the rare test launch of a ballistic missile in the Pacific Ocean, earning criticism from New Zealand and Australia.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy said that one strategic nuclear submarine of the navy on Monday successfully launched a strategic missile carrying a dummy warhead toward relevant high seas of the Pacific Ocean, which landed precisely within the designated waters, reported Xinhua.

China, however, did not reveal the type of missile tested.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong has accused China of 'destabilising' the region with the missile test, media reports said.

Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described the test launch as part of China's r...