BEIJING, 20 October 2021, (TON): China denied a report it had recently launched a hypersonic missile, saying it tested a spacecraft to trial reusable technologies.

The Financial Times reported that Beijing had launched a nuclear-capable missile in August that circled the Earth at low orbit before narrowly missing its target.

FT sources said “the hypersonic missile was carried by a Long March rocket and that the test had been kept under wraps.”

But China said that the report was inaccurate and the exercise was a test of reusable technology that could reduce the cost of launching spacecraft.

Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters “according to my understanding, this test is a routine spacecraft test, used to test a reusable spacecraft technology.”

“This could provide a convenient and cheap way for humans to use space for peaceful purposes.” When asked directly if the FT report was inaccurate about the missile, Zhao replied “yes”.

Along with China, the United States, Russia and at least five other countries are working on hypersonic technology.