The ministry said the launch, by the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, was part of its routine annual training and was not directed at any country or target. It comes as China and Russia conduct joint naval exercises in nearby seas close to Japan. China “notified relevant countries in advance,” state news agency Xinhua said in a separate report, without specifying who it notified.
The launch “effectively tested the performance of weapons and equipment as well as the training level of the troops, and achieved the expected objectives,” Xinhua reported. This is the first time China has publicly announced an ICBM test in the Pacific Ocean in more than four decades.
