Missile test no threat to other countries — China

BEIJING, Aug 3: China on Tuesday said its latest test-firing of a long-range surface-to-surface missile did not pose a threat to other co...

BEIJING, Aug 3: China on Tuesday said its latest test-firing of a long-range surface-to-surface missile did not pose a threat to other countries and described the test as normal and scheduled.

“What we have conducted is a normal and scheduled test,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao told PTI, adding that it was necessary to strengthen Beijing’s capability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Downplaying fears that Monday’s missile test would lead to a missile race in the region, he said it was not targeted at any country and stressed that China would be an important force in preserving global peace and stability.

China is yet to release details of the missile test, which analysts say could be the Dong Feng (East Wind)-31 (DF-31) mobile Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and the only missile known to be presently under development by China’s defence forces.

A three-line report carried by the official Xinhua newsagency on Monday said China successfully conducted a launching test of a new type of long-range surface-to-surface missile within its territory. No other details have emerged from the secretive Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).

Meanwhile, China on Tuesday expressed concern over the US anti-missile system test and accused Washington of violating the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM).

“The US has violated the ABM and the anti-missile system test is not beneficial to global and regional strategic balance and stability,” Zhu said.

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After six consecutive test failures for the Theatre High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD), an experimental US Army rocket pinpointed an “enemy” missile and smashed it to bits more than 80 km above the earth over new Mexico on Monday. “We express concern over this,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

The THAAD system is designed to use ground-launched missiles to destroy high-altitude enemy missiles from 1,280 km away or more, a distance that current usweapons cannot reach.

The US and Japan plan to establish Theatre Missile Defence (TMD) system in East Asia to protect American forces in the region. There are also moves to include Taiwan under TMDs umbrella so as to defend the island from Chinese missiles in case of an invasion.

China has strongly opposed the move to include Taiwan into TMD and said the establishment of the system in East Asia would spark another round of expensive arms race.