ANALYSIS: China's missile route avoids Japan, raising questions over intent

BEIJING - China identified two possible flight routes for its test-firing of a ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine earlier this week, with the northern route passing over Japan, according to its advance notifications and expert analysis.

But the missile likely flew near the Philippines along the southern route on Monday, leaving Japan and other countries in the region to assess Beijing's intentions while stepping up vigilance against China.