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China has conducted a land-based missile intercept test that "achieved its planned purpose," according to the Defense Ministry, which described the test as defensive and not aimed at any specific country.

As part of President Xi Jinping's ambitious modernization plan, China has increased research into a wide range of missiles, from those that can destroy satellites in orbit to powerful nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.

Beijing has previously conducted missile interceptor tests, the most recent of which was announced in February 2021, and the one before that in 2018. China has been conducting anti-missile system testing since at least 2010, according to state media.

The "ground-based midcourse anti-missile intercept technology" test was carried out that night, the ministry stated in a terse statement late Sunday.

"The test met its objectives," the ministry stated. "This test was defensive in nature and was not directed at any specific country."

It didn't say anything else.

China has consistently expressed objection to the United States' deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system in South Korea, as has its ally Russia.

The equipment's strong radar, China claimed, might penetrate its territory. Simulated anti-missile drills have also been held by China and Russia.

Aside from rare brief announcements by the Defense Ministry or in state media, China has provided few specifics regarding its own missile programmes.

After images of anti-missile system tests aired on state media in 2016, the Defence Ministry acknowledged it was continuing with the tests.

Such technology, according to Beijing, is required for national defence and security.