22 August
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper has indicated that the purpose of the recent US cruise missile test was to counter China's growing stockpile of intermediate-range missiles.
The US on Sunday tested a surface-launched cruise missile, which had been banned under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, or INF.
The nuclear arms control treaty between the US and Russia expired on August 2.
During an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Esper described China as more of a priority for the US Department of Defense in the long-term than Russia, considering China's economic power and ambitions.
Esper said, "We want to make sure we have the capability to deter Chinese bad behavior by having our own capability to strike at intermediate ranges."
The US has been downplaying recent short-range missile test by North Korea. Esper explained that long-range missiles are a greater concern, adding they "need to take a look at the bigger picture."
NHK
