China's latest hypersonic vehicle test seen as 'nuclear deterrent' amid US interference

The defence ministry on Friday confirmed it had tested a supersonic nuclear delivery vehicle in a move the United States has called an "extreme manoeuvre" amid tensions in the South China Sea.

Last Sunday's launch of the hypersonic glide vehicle - which the US has dubbed the "Wu-14" - was the People Liberation Army's fourth test of the weapon in 18 months.

"The scheduled scientific research and experiments in our territory is normal, and those tests are not targeted at any country and specific goals," the ministry said in response to the South China Morning Post's query.

But military observers said the frequency of the tests showed Beijing was reinforcing its nuclear deterrent in response to Washington's continued interference in China's territorial disputes in the region.

US intelligence officials had described the tests as "extreme manoeuvres", according to US-based online paper The Washington Free Beacon.

The latest test took place a day before Central Military Commission vice-chairman Fan Changlong left for a week-long visit to the US.

Experts say the launch was timed to raise Fan's bargaining power in discussions with the US, as well as to express Beijing's disapproval of Washington's sustained interference in the South China Sea.