China's Defense Ministry said on Thursday that its test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was "legitimate and routine" and that it had not changed its nuclear policy.

"The ICBM launch is to test our weapon and training performance. It is a legitimate and routine arrangement for military training," Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang told media at a news conference.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force on Wednesday launched an ICBM, which carried a dummy warhead to the international waters of the Pacific Ocean.