国内英语新闻:U.S. missile test proves again its withdrawal from INF treaty premeditated: spokesperson

BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday the latest U.S. ballistic missile test proves again that the country's withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty was premeditated.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks at a news briefing when asked to comment on the ground-based ballistic missile test conducted by the United States on Thursday.

The Pentagon had conducted two ground-based missile tests since the U.S. withdrawal from the treaty in August, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said that the country had started preparing for the tests this February, she said.

Hua said the true intention of the United States was to free itself to develop advanced missiles and seek unilateral military advantage.

The spokesperson said the international community should "sharpen its eyes" and jointly safeguard the current international arms control system.

She also urged the United States to abandon its Cold War mentality and zero-sum game mindset, and contribute to global strategic balance and stability, as well as international and regional peace and security.