China has carried out a flight test of a powerful, submarine-launched ballistic missile capable of targeting the United States, The Washington Free Beacon is reporting.

The new Julong-3 missile is able to carry multiple nuclear warheads, according to the website. It was flight tested for the first time in late November. The next generation of Chinese ballistic missile submarines will all be deployed with the Julong-3.

The Free Beacon noted U.S. intelligence agencies closely monitored the launch of the missile.

"The Pentagon will not comment on the intelligence related to Chinese missile tests," spokesman Lt. Col. Chris Logan said.

But the missile test represents a major milestone for the Chinese strategic nuclear forces buildup, the Free Beacon noted.

Earlier this year, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said: "As a nation's ultimate instrument, submarines shall see great developments. Our seaborne nuclear forces need to advance by leaps and bounds. We pin our hopes of development and advancement on your era so that our navy and our submarine forces shall have a rapid rise."

And in June, The Washington Post reported the Chinese government had hacked a Navy contractor’s computers stealing large amounts of very sensitive date – including secret plans to develop a supersonic anti-ship missile for use on U.S. submarines.