A Chinese Missile Test

A Chinese military newspaper has published new photos showcasing its short- and medium-range missiles, the South China Morning Post reported Tuesday.

The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force recently tested DF-11 and DF-16 ballistic missiles, the Hong Kong newspaper said, citing the PLA Daily.

When announcing the completion of the missile tests, the PLA Daily did not disclose where and when the tests took place, according to SCMP.

A Chinese ballistic missile begins ascension in a photo released by the People's Liberation Army January 9.

The DF-16, first unveiled to the public in 2015, can travel about 625 miles and has been reported to be as accurate as a cruise missile, Chinese military observers have said. The mobile-launched ballistic missiles could theoretically be launched from anywhere on China's mainland, one of China's missile shelters in the South China Sea, or even an aircraft carrier.


The DF-16, which can carry up to three nuclear warheads, puts the US Marine Corps Base on Okinawa within striking distance, as well as Japanese islands, Taiwan and the Philippines. Just last month, a minister with the Chinese Embassy to the US said the PLA would initiate Taiwan's reunification with mainland China through "military force" if the US follows through with plans to send an aircraft carrier to Taiwan to make a port call.

As China continues to develop its military technology, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on troops to fight with a tougher spirit and stand "always ready to fight.

"In the past, we had more spirit than steel. Now we have plenty of equipment, so we need an even tougher and stronger spirit to wield it," Xi told PLA soldiers last week.

In late December, the Japanese military started preparing a new missile base on an island 200 miles from the Chinese coast.