Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning speaks during a press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Beijing, China. Photo by JESSICA LEE/ EPA
July 7 (Asia Today) -- China said countries should not overinterpret its test launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile into the Pacific, after the firing drew criticism from Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific island nations.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular briefing Tuesday that the launch was part of regular military training by the Chinese military and was not aimed at any country or target.
Mao said China had notified Solomon Islands and other South Pacific and related countries in advance, adding that the launch complied with international law and international practice.
"China follows the path of peaceful development and a nuclear strategy of self-defense," Mao said. She said China keeps its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security and that "relevant countries do not need to overinterpret this."
