It has become clear that China test-fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) into the South China Sea (SCS) in late June, in light of remarks made on 18 July by US Navy Admiral Philip Davidson, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), during the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.
On 4 July, Japanese broadcaster NHK had quoted an unnamed US military official as saying that China had launched a total of six missiles from the mainland, targeting two separate areas in the South China Sea. Although Adm Davidson provided no further details, his remarks largely validate the information given to NHK.