US says China tested anti-satellite missile

The US says China has tested a missile designed to destroy satellites and is urging Beijing to refrain from destabilising actions. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the ‘non-destructive’ test happened on Wednesday. She said a previous destructive test of the system in 2007 created thousands of pieces of dangerous debris in space. Harf said on Friday that the continued development and testing of destructive anti-satellite systems ‘threaten the long-term security and sustainability of the outer space environment, on which all nations depend. China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, citing a Defense Ministry statement, reported a successful ‘missile interception test’ conducted from land within Chinese territory late Wednesday. Xinhua did not refer to it as an anti-satellite system. It said such tests could strengthen Chinese air defense against ballistic missiles, according to AP.