China denies testing nuclear-capable hypersonic missile

Key Facts

China showed a hypersonic missile platform at a recent military parade China has denied reports that it tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile earlier this year, insisting instead that it was a routine spacecraft check.
The report on Saturday quoted five unnamed sources who said a hypersonic missile had been launched in the summer.
"The test showed that China had made astounding progress on hypersonic weapons and was far more advanced than US officials realised," the report read.
Michael Shoebridge, the director of defence, strategy and national security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said if a hypersonic missile had been tested it would fit a "pattern of escalation in nuclear and other strike weapons".