China has deployed Dongfeng-41 nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles to the Heilongjiang province bordering with Russia, Chinese media has reported.
After photographs and videos of the missiles in transit to the province appeared on the Chinese internet, the Global Times newspaper confirmed the reports Tuesday.
"Based on the information from analysts, the photo was taken in the Heilongjiang province," the newspaper reported.
The newspaper also suggested that the redeployment of the missiles may be a reaction to the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who is known for his criticism of China.
"The U.S. has not shown due respect to the armed forces of the People's Republic of China," the paper noted.
The Dongfeng-41 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile has an operational range of 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers, giving it the longest range of any nuclear equipped missile in the world. In April 2016, China conducted a successful test of the DF-41 missile with dummy warheads near the South China Sea.
The Kremlin's reaction to the news was brief.
"We don't see the military disposition of China as a threat to our country," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
