The US says it has carried out a successful test of its controversial anti-missile system and has flown B-1 bombers over the Korean peninsula.

The exercises are a direct response to recent North Korean missile tests, which Pyongyang said proved that the entire US was within striking range.

But UN Ambassador Nikki Haley said there was no point in an emergency UN Security Council meeting because it would produce “nothing of consequence”.

She urged China to rein in North Korea.

“An additional Security Council resolution that does not significantly increase the international pressure on North Korea is of no value,” Ms Haley said in a statement.

“In fact it is worth than nothing because it sends the message to the North Korean dictator that the international community is unwilling to seriously challenge him.

“China must decide whether it is finally willing to take this vital step. The time for talk is over,” she added.

The US military said a projectile fired by the US Air Force had been intercepted over the Pacific by a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) unit in Alaska.

Despite fierce objections from China, the US military has begun installing the Thaad system in South Korea with the aim of shooting down any North Korean missiles fired at the South.

US B-1 bombers also conducted exercises over the Korean peninsula with South Korean and Japanese planes.

On Friday, North Korea test-fired a second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The launch came three weeks after the state’s first ICBM test.