WASHINGTON The Chinese military has test flown a new type of advanced long range ballistic missile, the Voice of America reported Monday. The VOA, monitoring the Chinese Xinhua News Agency, reported the missile may be a modified version of the East Wind 31. According to western analysts, the missile will be capable of lifting a single nuclear warhead and will have a range of 8,000 kilometers. The test flight also comes weeks after the release of a Congressional report that alleged that China obtained missile and space technology from U.S. industry attempting to assist in the upgrading of Chinas commercial space launch vehicles. The Chinese government as well as U.S. commercial space firms have denied the charges, contained in a committee report chaired by California Republican Rep. Christopher Cox.

The missile, if deployed, would put most U.S. Far Eastern forces within its range, along with Alaska and Hawaii. The test flight also comes amidst discussions between China and Taiwan over the island nations independence from the Chinese mainland. VOA also said that the China Daily newspaper has reported that Chinas military was working "to develop missiles that can match the leading missiles of the world." It added that China now has the capability to launch missiles from submarines. Chinas Long March space boosters have been launched successfully this year, including orbiting additional satellites for the Iridium constellation.