In a statement, China’s defense ministry said the test was “purely defensive” and not directed against a foreign nation.
Rockets are a key part of China’s defenses and form the backbone of Beijing’s space program, which focuses on getting astronauts and components for the space station into orbit around the country.
The test comes as Beijing reaffirms its determination to “reunite” Taiwan.
Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe warned last week that China will “fight to the end” to prevent the island from gaining independence.
A Chinese invasion would likely mean intervention by the United States, Taiwan’s main arms supplier and ally.
China and Taiwan have lived as two autonomous regions since 1949, when the former Chinese nationalist government fled to the island after being defeated in the civil war by the communists.
However, Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory, not a sovereign political entity, and threatens to use force if the island declares independence.
Taipei has recorded 969 incursions by Chinese warplanes into its air defense identification zone in 2021, and more than 470 since the beginning of this year.
China also claims almost all of the South China Sea, despite protests from neighboring countries including the Philippines, Vietnam or Malaysia.
Also read: After Covid 19 cases, China stops flying from Portugal
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