Has the Chinese ever test-fired their missiles?
I believe the answer is "yes'
The first report came from TIME mag in 1969, (under the headlines "scaring the hell out of a lot of neighbours") which said that the PRC had successfully test-fired a missile with a 700 mile range
Recently, iinternational news agencies like AFP, REUTERS, etc had been reporting (1999-2004) Chinese ICBMs test-firing. Interestingly enough, A few of these tests co-incided with the official visits of US Chairmans of Joint-Chiefs to China(eg Gen Meyers) (DF-31s).....a pychological message?
The American Foreign Policy Council's SANTOLI also reported in Sept-2002, that China tested -fired (successfully, I'm afraid) three "JL-2" SLBM from three subs, and all 3 hit their targets 5000 lm away
I believe the answer is "yes'
Note that I did not say "test-fire." I said "live fire."
There is a world of difference between the two terms.
And test-firing A missile just tells you that you could successfully test-fire THAT missile. Given the endemic corruption within China, and especially within the PLA, it says nothing about any of the OTHER missiles from that production line.