China conducts successful anti-ballistic missile test
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The land-based test "achieved its expected objectives" and was defensive in nature and not targeted at any one country, China said.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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BEIJING (BLOOMBERG, REUTERS) - China successfully conducted a mid-range anti-ballistic missile test late Sunday (June 19), its defence ministry said.
The ministry said in a brief statement that the “ground-based midcourse anti-missile intercept technology" test had been carried out that night.
"The test reached its expected goals," the ministry said. "This test was defensive and not aimed at any country."
"The test reached its expected goals," the ministry said. "This test was defensive and not aimed at any country."
It provided no other details.
China has been ramping up research into all sorts of missiles, from those that can destroy satellites in space to advanced nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, as part of an ambitious modernisation scheme overseen by President Xi Jinping.
The country conducted a similar test in February 2021 and brings the tally of publicly announced Chinese land-based anti-ballistic missile technical tests to six, state media Global Times reported.
The test could add to tensions in an already volatile region, where Beijing and Washington are vying for influence.
China, along with its ally Russia, have repeatedly expressed opposition to the US deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system in South Korea.
China argued the equipment’s powerful radar could penetrate into its territory. China and Russia have also held simulated anti-missile drills.
Neighbouring North Korea has also ramped up its missile tests in recent months, prompting South Korea and the US to respond to its provocations.
China has given few details about its own missile programmes, aside from occasional brief statements by the Defence Ministry or in state media.
In 2016, the Defence Ministry confirmed it was pressing ahead with anti-missile system tests after pictures appeared on state television.
Beijing says such technology is needed for national defence and security.
