Tension as China launches ICBM

BUILD-UP: BEIJING INCREASING NUKE DEVELOPMENT

World's third largest stockpile of nuclear warheads with 500.

China said it test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) yesterday, firing it into the Pacific Ocean in its first such exercise in decades.

The launch sparked protests from countries in the region, with Japan saying it had not been given advance notice and expressing "serious concern" about Beijing's military build-up.

Beijing has stepped up its nuclear development and boosted defence spending in recent years, with the Pentagon last October warning China was developing its arsenal more quickly than the US had anticipated.