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China's intercontinental ballistic missile launch was for weapons testing and training, and was a routine and legitimate arrangement, its defence ministry said on Thursday.

China said on Wednesday it had successfully conducted a rare launch of an ICBM carrying a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean, a move likely to raise international concerns about the country's nuclear build-up.

The defence ministry spokesman told a regular monthly press briefing that China's nuclear policy was stable, consistent and predictable, in reference to the missile launch.

China would continue to keep its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security, Zhang Xiaogang said.

Zhang added that, before the launch, China had not only announced no-fly warnings, but also informed several countries in advance through military diplomatic channels.

"This demonstrates openness and transparency of the plan," Zhang said.

Reuters

The PLA rocket force, which oversees the country’s conventional and nuclear missiles, has been tasked with modernising China’s nuclear forces. Photograph: Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images

China says its missile launch is a routine, legitimate arrangement