Avoiding mention of nuclear warhead capability
China strongly denies... "Spacecraft recycling technology test"
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently expressed strong concerns about China’s development of hypersonic missiles, following some foreign media reports that China succeeded in testing a hypersonic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. As China accelerates its hypersonic missile development after Russia, there are forecasts that military tensions with the United States will further escalate.
On the 18th (local time), during a press conference held in Georgia, Secretary Austin stated, "We are closely monitoring China’s hypersonic missile development," and added, "We are concerned about the potential military use by China and Russia." He refrained from commenting on the possibility of nuclear warhead deployment raised by some foreign media.
Earlier, major foreign media reported that China succeeded in a test launch of a hypersonic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead last August, and that U.S. intelligence agencies were greatly surprised upon receiving the related intelligence. Citing sources, the media reported that China launched a rocket carrying a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), and although the missile landed 34 km off target, it showed remarkable progress. Consequently, security concerns are growing both inside and outside the U.S. as China, a hostile country following Russia, accelerates its hypersonic missile power development.
Robert Wood, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations for Disarmament, also criticized at a press conference held in Geneva, Switzerland, on the same day, saying, "The U.S. has been cautious about hypersonic technology and refrained from actively pursuing its military use, but we have seen China and Russia vigorously pursuing the utilization and militarization of this technology." He further warned, "Hypersonic weapons can neutralize missile defense systems and are weapons for which not only we but also China and Russia do not know effective defense measures."
China has completely denied the contents of the foreign media reports. Earlier, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized at a press conference held immediately after the reports, "China conducted a spacecraft experiment, not a missile, last July," and added, "It was merely a routine experiment to verify spacecraft reuse technology."
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