Beijing says such technology is needed for national defense and security. (Representative)
Shanghai:
Describing it as defensive, the Defense Ministry said that China has conducted a land-based missile interception test, which has “served its intended purpose”.
As part of President Xi Jinping’s ambitious modernization plan, China is ramping up research into missiles of all kinds, from missiles that destroy satellites in space to advanced nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.
Beijing has already tested missile interceptors; The most recent previous public announcement of a test was in February 2021 and before that in 2018. State media have said China has conducted anti-missile system tests since at least 2010.
The ministry said in a brief statement late Sunday that a “ground-based midcourse anti-missile intercept technology” test was conducted that night.
“The trial reached its expected targets,” the ministry said. “This test was defensive and not aimed at any country.”
It did not give any other details.
China, along with its ally Russia, has repeatedly opposed the US deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system in South Korea.
China argued that the device’s powerful radar could penetrate its territory. China and Russia have also conducted mock anti-missile exercises.
In addition to occasional brief statements by the Defense Ministry or state media, China has provided few details about its own missile programs.
In 2016, the Defense Ministry confirmed that it was proceeding with anti-missile system tests after images appeared on state television.
Beijing says such technology is needed for national defense and security.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)