This has been partly blamed on a boycott on Korean goods by Chinese shoppers over last year's THAAD missile controversy.

For China's military forces, TISCO's materials have proved essential in making Dongfeng missile shells and the latest series of destroyers.

China opposes the United States placing Chinese enterprises and individuals on its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List for allegedly supporting Iran's ballistic missile programs, the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday.

The comment came after the US Treasury Department recently sanctioned certain Chinese individuals and entities, accusing them to be in connection with Iran's missile and military programs.

China also values dialogues and exchanges with the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group.

"It is capable of fulfilling a wide range of missions that other Chinese helicopters have difficulties executing, including anti-submarine and anti-ship combat, signal relay for ship-launched missile and special assault," Cui said.

Gold prices extended their climb into a third session in a row as US President Donald Trump said "all options are on the table" after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched a missile that flew over Japan.

Japan said the DPRK fired on Tuesday morning a missile which fell into the Pacific Ocean after passing over the Japanese archipelago.

The DPRK missile launch fed new geopolitical tensions and prompted investors to seek out haven assets such as gold.