Special to WorldTribune.com

Bill Gertz, Washington Free Beacon

China on Wednesday confirmed that it carried out a third flight test of a new hypersonic strike vehicle that U.S. officials say is part of efforts by Chinese nuclear forces to penetrate U.S. strategic missile defenses.

A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman told state-run news media the Dec. 2 test was routine. “Scientific experiments carried out by China within its borders are normal ones conducted according to its schedule, and they are not directed against any specific country or target,” the Defense Ministry stated through a spokesman. The comments were reported in the official China Daily newspaper.

The official confirmation is unusual because China’s military development programs, and specifically its nuclear arms, are shrouded in secrecy. …

Defense officials said the test was the third by China of the new ultra-high speed vehicle. Two earlier tests were monitored by U.S. intelligence agencies on Jan. 9 and Aug. 7. The third test of the advanced weapon in a single year is an indication of the high priority China has placed on building the weapon, military analysts said.

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  China confirms third test this year of hypersonic strike aircraft, LIFE, WorldTribune.com