Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Chinese army has "successfully" tested a missile interception system. A brief statement from Xinhua late on Tuesday, states that "China conducted a test on ground-based midcourse missile interception technology within its territory. The test has achieved the expected objective ".
The agency is quick to say that "the test is defensive in nature and is not intended to attack any nation."
Some analysts, however, correlate this test with the recent fiction between China and the United States after the Pentagon approved the sale of a battery of Patriot rockets for anti-missile defence.
China considers Taiwan an "island rebel" and passed a law that allows the use of force in case of secession of any part of Chinese territory.
The contract between Washington and Taipei is dated to last year. Beijing has always demanded the United States stop the sale. In recent days the Chinese Ministry of Defence defined the sale of Patriot rockets "a severe obstacle" to China - United States relations.
Other observers say that although the test puts more pressure on the United States, it is considered a general and simple show of force, which shows the capacity of up-to-date Chinese military technology.