The Chinese Ministry of Defense announced that the Chinese army conducted a missile test on Wednesday by launching an intercontinental ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean. The Ministry said in a statement that "the Rocket Force of the People's Liberation Army (the Chinese army) launched an intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a mock warhead towards the high seas in the Pacific Ocean at 08:44 on September 25, and the missile accurately fell in the pre-designated sea area." The Ministry did not clarify where exactly the missile fell or its nature. Intercontinental ballistic missiles are considered among the most powerful weapons in the world and can carry nuclear warheads. In its statement, the Ministry said that "the launch of the missile falls within the framework of the annual routine training program of the Rocket Force." It added that this experiment "allowed to effectively test the performance of weapons and equipment as well as the level of training of the troops, and achieved the desir ed goal." In recent decades, China has carried out a massive modernization of its army and is increasing its military budget every year in parallel with its economic growth. The Ministry of Defense noted in its statement that "the countries concerned" with this missile experiment, that is, those located within or near the missile's path, were informed "in advance." Source: National Iraqi News Agency