WASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia has significantly escalated its ballistic missile program with the help of China, it was reported exclusively by CNN on Thursday.

The US government has obtained intelligence that Saudi Arabia has significantly escalated its ballistic missile program with the help of China.

Citing three sources with direct knowledge of the matter, the CNN report said that US government has obtained intelligence in this regard and that this development threatens decades of US efforts to limit missile proliferation in the Middle East.

According to CNN, the Trump administration did not initially disclose its knowledge of this classified development to key members of Congress, the sources said..

The previously unreported classified intelligence indicates Saudi Arabia has expanded both its missile infrastructure and technology through recent purchases from China.

The intelligence also raises questions about the administration's commitment to non-proliferation in the Middle East and the extent to which Congress is kept abreast of foreign policy developments in a volatile region.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang told a press conference in Beijing on Thursday that this cooperation did not violate international law. "As comprehensive strategic partners, China and Saudi Arabia maintain friendly cooperation in various fields, which includes arms trade. Our cooperation is not in violation of international law and does not involve WMDs."