This archive report was first published on 20 August 2019.
On August 20, 2019, the United States tested a medium-range cruise missile off the coast of California, sparking concerns of a new arms race.
According to Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, the US move will 'trigger a new round of an arms race, leading to an escalation of military confrontation, which will have a serious negative impact on the international and regional security situation.'
China's warning comes just weeks after the US and Russia ditched the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, citing violations of the 1987 agreement.
The US Department of Defense announced the test, which involved a type of ground-launched missile banned under the INF agreement.
Meanwhile, Russia accused the US of ramping up military tensions with the new missile test, with Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov stating, 'The US has obviously taken a course towards escalation of military tensions. We won't react to provocations.'
