China expresses "grave concern" over North Korean missile test

BEIJING: China expressed "grave concern" on Wednesday after North Korea fired what appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that landed close to Japan.

China hopes all parties act cautiously to preserve peace and
stability, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular
news briefing.

North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Wednesday, South Korean military officials said, the first such launch in two months and just a week after the US slapped fresh sanctions on the hermit state and declared it a state sponsor of terrorism.



The missile flew east from South Pyongan province, the military Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, adding that the South Korean and US authorities were analysing the flight route.

North Korea said it had successfully tested a powerful new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that put all of the US mainland within range, declaring it had achieved its long-held goal of becoming a nuclear power.

North Korea has conducted dozens of ballistic missile tests under its leader, Kim Jong Un, in defiance of international sanctions. In September, it conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test.

North Korea said the new powerful missile reached an altitude of around 4,475 km – more than 10 times the height of the international space station – and flew 950 km during its 53 minute flight.