``China successfully conducted a launching test of a new type of long-range ground-to-ground missile within its territory,'' Xinhua said. No other details were immediately available.

The missile test came at a time when Beijing's relations with rebel province Taiwan has hit its lowest level since 1995-96 and Taiwanese President Lee Teng-Hui declaration that relations between Taipei and Beijing should be regarded as a ``special state-to-state relations''.

China considers Taiwan as a renegade province which must eventually unite with the mainland.

On Saturday, Chinese Defence Minister General Chi Haotian issued a stern warning to Taiwan authorities against attempting to split China and stressed the People's Liberation Army (PLA) would smash any such attempts.

``The PLA stands ready and prepared todefend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity at any time and will firmly smash any attempts to split the motherland,'' Gen Chi had said.

Meanwhile, defence analysts speculate that the launched missile could be the mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), DF-31, capable of hitting western United States.

They noted that some US media reports, quoting American intelligence officials as saying that US spy satellites had glimpsed feverish activity at a launch site near Wuzhai in central China.

Defence sources said the DF-31 solid-fuelled missile is thought to be capable of carrying a 2.5 megaton nuclear warhead up to a range of over 8,000 km, and will be ready for deployment by 2002.

According to defence sources, China at present may have 18 to 26 DF-5 ICBMS. These missiles have range of 12,800 km. However, their use of liquid fuel, which takes a long time to fill, is considered a negative point of this missile.