The Chinese armies are now able to use robots to fire ballistic missiles after successfully developing an automated launching system, Chinese military media claimed.

The advanced system would help China fire warheads three times faster and halve the number of soldiers involved.

The news emerged as tensions between Beijing and Washington have escalated over the claims that China had allowed oil into North Korea, which violated a United Nations embargo. Beijing has denied the allegations.

Beijing's next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile, Dongfeng-41 (pictured) could allegedly strike anywhere in the world. It's expected to be ready in the first half of this year

China's state broadcast has released footage which apparently showed 10 DF-15 (file photo) being fired. DF-15 is a short-range missile that can reportedly travel 2,000 metres per second

The robotic missile firing system was developed by China's Rocket Force Research Centre, reported the People's Daily Online, citing PLA Newspaper.

CHINA'S OTHER MISSILES China's DF-21 missile boasts a firing distance of up to 1,926 miles (3,100km) and has been dubbed 'the killer of aircraft carrier'. The missile is potentially capable of sinking a U.S. Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in a single strike, media have claimed. The DF-10 missile, on the other hand, is the best performing long-range cruise missile in the world, according to Chinese news site Sina.com. Sina said the 990-pound (450kg) weapon could strike a maximum distance of 1,242 miles (2,000km) and could reach Japan and Taiwan if it's fired from inland China. Advertisement

Apparently, the system was completed as early as last October and was described to be a 'breakthrough' for Chinese scientists.

Zhang Jingyong, a project leader, said that the system could reduce the time soldiers spend preparing the launch by half. In addition, by using robots to load the missiles on the battlefield, only half as many soldiers are needed compared to before, and they could fire missiles three times faster.

Just days before the Chinese scientists revealed the robotic missile system, China's state broadcaster CCTV aired never-before-seen footage of 10 Dongfeng missiles being fired during a drill.

The missiles have been identified as DF-15, a type of short-range missile that can reportedly travel at a speed of up to 2,000 metres (1.4 miles) per second.

A propaganda video from Beijing claimed in July that China owns about 2,500 ballistic missiles.

Beijing's next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile, Dongfeng-41, or DF-41, could allegedly strike anywhere in the world with nuclear warheads. It's expected to be ready during the first half of next year.

The missile is 16.5 meters (54 feet) long with a diameter of 2.78 meters (9.1 feet).

Previous reports have claimed that the missile has a range of at least 7,500 miles (12,000km) and could carry up to 10 nuclear warheads.

Military vehicles carry DF-10 ship-launched cruise missiles as they travel past the Tiananmen Square during a military parade on September 3, 2015 in Beijing. DF-10 missile has been dubbed the best performing long-range cruise missile in the world

Intermediate-range ballistic missile DF-21 drive past the Tiananmen Square during a military parade on September 3, 2015 in Beijing. DF-21 boasts a firing distance of up to 1,926 miles

Tensions between China and the United States have been rising.

Late last month, President Donald Trump gave Beijing a wrist slap for alleged transfers of oil from Chinese tankers to North Korean ships that flagrantly violate a United Nations embargo.

U.S. satellites spotted the tankers trading oil with Pyongyang's ships 30 times within three months, a South Korean newspaper reported, citing officials within the country's government.

Trump jumped on the report on December 28 from the Palm Beach golf club he's been staying at during his trip to Florida.

The president hinted at a possible confrontation in a tweet that said: 'Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!'

President Donald Trump gave Beijing a wrist slap last month for alleged transfers of oil from Chinese tankers to North Korean ships that flagrantly violate a United Nations embargo. China's communist government, led by Xi Jingping, has firmly denied the allegations

'Caught RED HANDED': Donald Trump commented on the claim that China was secretly supplying oil to North Korea on his Twitter account on December 28

On December 29, China denied the reports that it had been illicitly selling oil products to North Korea in violation of U.N. sanctions.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters she had noted recent media reports, including suggestions a Chinese vessel was suspected of transporting oil to a North Korean vessel on Oct. 19.

'In reality, the ship in question has, since August, not docked at a Chinese port and there is no record of it entering or leaving a Chinese port,' Hua said adding that the reports 'did not accord with facts.

'China has always implemented U.N. Security Council resolutions pertaining to North Korea in their entirety and fulfils its international obligations. We never allow Chinese companies and citizens to violate the resolutions,' Hua said.

'If, through investigation, it's confirmed there are violations of the U.N. Security Council resolutions, China will deal with them seriously in accordance with laws and regulations.'