路基中段反导试验 (lùjī zhōngduàn fǎndǎo shìyàn): Land-based mid-course anti-missile interception test

The Ministry of National Defense announced on Tuesday that China has successfully tested a land-based mid-course anti-missile intercept technology within its territory on Monday, and the test achieved its preset goal.

This test was defensive and did not target any country, the ministry stated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also responded to concerns about the test saying China remains committed to its peaceful development path and abides by its defensive national defense policy.

Mid-course missile interception is regarded as the most feasible anti-missile plan at present. The success of the test marks a major step forward on the People's Liberation Army's path to modernization, as only a few countries, such as the United States, have mastered the technology necessary to intercept a missile in flight.

This is the third public announcement of China's successful tests of the ground-based mid-course missile interception technology released by the Chinese military. The former two announcements were released in Jan 2010 and Jan 2013.

Experts say that the successful test shows China's mid-course missile interception technology has matured.