New arms race fears as China and Russia blast US over missile test
- US conducts flight test of a cruise missile, sending a signal of determination to develop intermediate-range capabilities
- Comes weeks after pulling out of a treaty with Russia that barred testing and deploying such technology
The United States and Russia ditched the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty this month after accusing each other of violating the deal.
“This measure from the US will trigger a new round of an arms race, leading to an escalation of military confrontation, which will have a serious negative impact on the international and regional security situation,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang in Beijing.
Geng said that the US should “let go of its cold war mentality” and “do more things that are conducive to... international and regional peace and tranquillity”.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the new US test was a “cause of regret”.
“The US has obviously taken a course towards escalation of military tensions. We won’t react to provocations,” Ryabkov told state news agency TASS.