China rejects U.S. criticism over missile test notification

(ECNS) -- China on Tuesday rejected accusations from the United States and other countries over its submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test conducted in July at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. 

Li Chijiang, China’s ambassador for disarmament affairs, said China opposes Washington using the forum for political manipulation and criticized the United States for questioning China’s advance notification of the missile test.

Li made the remarks at a meeting on Tuesday, responding to comments by U.S. official Darryl Nirenberg, who accused China of not providing pre-launch notification of the July 6 test to the countries regarding the submarine-launched ICBM test.

Li said the U.S. had cited the voluntary political commitment of the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) to demand that China provide advance notifications of missile launches. However, China is not a member of the HCOC and is therefore not bound by its provisions.

Li also noted that China has conducted only three ICBM tests to date, the fewest among the five nuclear-weapon states. In contrast, the U.S. has conducted the most ICBM tests worldwide and continues to expand its nuclear capabilities.

China has conducted missile tests in a safe, responsible and transparent manner, he said.

Li stressed that China has always followed a self-defensive nuclear strategy, maintained its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security and does not participate in any nuclear arms race.

He urged the U.S. to reflect on its own actions and take measures that genuinely contribute to global peace and stability.

(By Helen Mo, intern Liu Shuangjing)