China says it issued advance notice before ICBM launch

China informed relevant countries and issued no-sail reminders before the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch, indicating the openness and transparency of Chinese military, a defense spokesman said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force announced in a brief news release that the ICBM, carrying dummy warheads, lifted off at 8:44 am and hit a designated area in the open waters in the Pacific Ocean.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, said in a news conference in Beijing that prior to the launch, China not only issued notices specifying the no-sail zones and times but also informed relevant countries through military and diplomatic channels.

"This fully demonstrates the openness and transparency of the Chinese military," he underscored.

Zhang stressed that the launch test was "fully legitimate and reasonable", and complied with international law and international norms.