A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on July 9 said that it is a typical display of double standards and hegemonism for the U.S. side to point fingers at China's normal missile launch.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to U.S. comments on China's recent missile test. She noted that China had promptly released relevant information and notified the United States and other countries in advance, demonstrating the openness and transparency of the Chinese military.

China has stressed more than once that the test launch is a routine arrangement in China's annual military training program designed to verify the reliability, safety and effectiveness of relevant weapon systems, Mao said, adding that the activity complies with international law and customary international practice and is not directed at any specific country or target.

Mao added that the United States is the only country to have actually used nuclear weapons, and it sits on the world's largest and most advanced nuclear arsenal, and launches strategic missiles from nuclear-powered submarines annually. "Yet it points fingers at China's routine missile launch--a typical example of double standards and hegemonism," she said.

Mao urged the U.S. side to view China's national defense and military development objectively and rationally, and to take concrete steps to safeguard global strategic stability.