US cruise missile test will start a new arms race, says China
- Test of ground-launched missile on island off California will help develop intermediate-range capabilities, US says
- Russia also on alert as test hints at Washington’s changing priorities after recent arms treaty withdrawal
China warned that the US’ test of a medium-range cruise missile would start a new arms race and lead to confrontation, after a launch off the coast of California.
“This measure from the US will trigger a new round of arms race, leading to an escalation of military confrontation, which will have a serious negative impact on the international and regional security situation,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Tuesday.
Geng said that the United States should “let go of its cold war mentality” and “do more things that are conducive to … international and regional peace and tranquillity”.
It came after the US conducted a cruise missile flight test on Sunday, weeks after its withdrawal from its arms control treaty with Russia.
The missile “exited its ground mobile launcher and accurately impacted its target after more than 500km (311 miles) of flight” at San Nicolas Island in California, the US defence department said in a statement on Monday.