An HQ-16 medium-range air-defense missile system attached to an air-defense brigade under the PLA 72nd Group Army fires a surface-to-air missile at a mock aerial target during a recent live-fire training exercise in an undisclosed desert area. File photo:China Military

China announced that it successfully conducted a land-based, mid-course antiballistic missile (ABM) technical test on Thursday within its border. I believe this test has come at a very timely manner. Brilliant!

Charles Richard, head of US Strategic Command, published an article on Tuesday saying the US has sought new ways to deter China and Russia, including the "real possibility" of a nuclear war. To put it simply, he wants the US to carry out nuclear blackmail against China and Russia, and to utilize the hype over a "nuclear war" to deter the two countries, especially to intimidate China.

I tend to take China's successful missile test as a strong response to the above-mentioned arrogant clamor of the US commander, although China has expressed in its statement that the test is not aimed at any country. 

No matter where China-US relations head next, I believe that China's nuclear power and anti-missile technology need to be strengthened. The US will blackmail China with its nuclear power sooner or later. China must possess sufficient nuclear warheads, which must be more than 1,000, and sufficient methods to deliver and penetrate defense. If that happens, China will make its second-strike capability - the ability to respond to a nuclear attack with powerful nuclear retaliation - highly credible. External forces which are attempting to attack China will tremble with fear in the face of China. Only then will our national security be unbreakable. In this regard, the Chinese people should not be naïve. 

The author is editor-in-chief of the Global Times. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn