China's anti

China's Defense Ministry confirmed late Sunday that China succeeded in conducting a land-based mid-course missile interception test within its territory.

This was the second time that China announced such kind of missile test. A similar operation was launched on Jan. 11, 2010.

Such tests, which involve highly complicated technologies in detecting,tracking and destroying a ballistic missile flying in the outer space, have only been tried before by the United States and Japan.

The success in the anti-missile test, together with a string of other military equipment progress including the sail of China's first aircraft carrier and the test flight of a giant airfreighter, has demonstrated the country's fast-growing ability to defend its own national security and deter any possible threats.

It is understandable that some in the international community would speculate what China would do with these technologies. Some may even take these moves as proof for the ill-grounded "China threat theory."

China has maintained that these military advancements are purely defensive in nature, and has no specific targets.

The speedy disclosure to the public of such an important move has also testified to the country's increasing transparency in military affairs.

Moreover, a militarily stronger China will not abandon its determination to promote economic growth through the path of peaceful development and the construction of cooperative partnerships with countries around the world, as the Chinese people have been well aware that only a peaceful and stable world order can ensure China's national interests.

Also, at a moment when bloody conflicts continue to claim innocent lives in Syria and tensions over the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula are mounting in the Asia Pacific, it is well aware that no weaponry but candid talks, courageous compromises and wise diplomacy could effectively suffocate hostility, restore peace and nurture benevolence.