China claims to have intercepted ballistic missile in flight

The Chinese military claims to have intercepted a ballistic missile while it was in flight, a major step in the country improving its air defense capabilities.

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The development comes as China is growing increasingly aggressive toward Taiwan, an independent island nation that China has long claimed as its own territory.

China has sent numerous bomber and fighter-jet flights into Taiwan's air-defense zone in recent months. While the U.S. maintains friendly relations with Taiwan, it has not expressly vowed to intervene should China choose to invade the country.