NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has warned that Western nations cannot ignore China's growing military assertiveness, citing a recent test of a long-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile launched near Australia.

The missile, believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), was fired from a strategic nuclear submarine in the South Pacific, raising concerns about regional stability.

Australia's Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy described the launch as a 'destabilising event' but downplayed links to a new defence treaty with Fiji.

China's Foreign Ministry urged other nations not to 'read too much into' the test, while NATO and its allies, including Japan and New Zealand, expressed strong criticism.

Rutte emphasized the need for close cooperation to address China's expanding influence, linking the missile test to broader geopolitical tensions involving Russia and Iran.The incident highlights growing concerns about an arms race in the Indo-Pacific and the need for a balanced defense strategy.Meanwhile, U.S.-NATO tensions over defense spending and military presence in Europe remain a separate but significant issue.The article underscores the complex interplay between global powers and the potential for regional conflicts to impact transatlantic security.