North Korea long-range missile test: Trump slams China

President Donald Trump has hit out at China following North Korea's test of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The US leader has been attempting to get Beijing to rein in Pyongyang's nuclear programme.

But he pointed to a big rise in trade between China and North Korea as evidence that America should not rely on Beijing.

Mr Trump tweeted: "Trade between China and North Korea grew almost 40% in the first quarter. So much for China working with us - but we had to give it a try!"

The missile test was a "new escalation of threat" to the world, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has warned.

Image:Kim Jong Un celebrates the launch with military officers

Calling for Pyongyang's "provocative" test to be discussed by the UN Security Council, Mr Tillerson said the White House intends to "enact stronger measures to hold DPRK accountable".

The secretary of state added that the US "will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea" and said President Trump and his national security team are "continuing to assess the situation".

The missile launch occurred just hours before US Independence Day celebrations and days before G20 leaders were due to discuss steps to rein in North Korea's weapons programme.

In response, US and South Korean soldiers fired "deep strike" precision missiles into South Korean territorial waters.

Military officials said the launches were a show of force to demonstrate US-South Korean solidarity.

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Image:The missile reached an altitude of 2,802km and flew 933km, North Korea claimed

Analysts said North Korea's "landmark" Hwasong-14 missile, which was launched from North Pyongan Province, could reach Alaska.

North Korea said the ICBM reached an altitude of 2,802km (1,740 miles) and flew 933km (580 miles) for about 40 minutes before landing in the Sea of Japan.

Japan's data appeared to back up these claims, with the defence ministry claiming the altitude "greatly exceeded" 2,500km (1,550 miles).

According to North Korean state media, the missile is capable of carrying a "large, heavy nuclear warhead" that can withstand re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.