The Associated Press
Friday, Oct. 15, 1999; 1:35 a.m. EDT

HONG KONG –– China has successfully conducted computer simulated tests of a new long-range ballistic missile that could hit most of the United States and Europe with nuclear warheads, a newspaper reported today.

Scientists simulated a launch of the Dongfeng-41 ICBM, a three-stage missile that could carry five to eight warheads with a range of 7,400 miles, the Hong Kong Standard reported, quoting mainland Chinese sources whom it did not identify.

Chinese leaders have yet to decide when to conduct live test-firing of the missile, which could be deployed in five years, the report said.

The Dongfeng-41, which would use solidified fuel, would take only a few minutes to prepare for war and would replace the DF-5 missiles, which take up to three hours to prepare, the English-language Standard reported.

China recently publicly paraded another missile, Dongfeng-31, in its gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of communist rule. The nuclear-capable intercontinental missile, which was test-fired in August, has a range of 4,970 miles, making it capable of striking Alaska and Hawaii.

U.S. officials have said China is not expected to deploy the Dongfeng-31 missile for several years, although one expert said the missile's public display indicates it could be put into service in two years.