The Dongfeng-41 will be capable of hypersonic speeds up to Mach 25 and has been in development for more than 30 years.

Chinese scientists have tested the weapon eight times since 2012 – and carried out their most recent tests deep in the desert earlier this month.

State media reports the missile is due to enter the arsenal of the People’s Liberation Army in early 2018.

Carrying 10 nuclear warheads, the weapon is believed to be 33 tons and approximately 15 metres long.

China’s state-owned newspaper The Global Times claims the weapon will be able to strike “anywhere in the world”.

“It can carry up to 10 nuclear warheads, each of which can target separately,” Missile expert Xu Guangyu said.

He added: “Once the Dongfeng-41 goes into service, China’s ability to protect its own safety and to prevent wars would greatly increase.”

Beijing has the largest military force in the world and newly empowered President Xi Jinping said he wants China to be able to win any war.

    

    

Propaganda produced by China claims the Dongfeng-41 is one of the five most powerful missiles in the world.

It also claimed to have an arsenal of up to 2,500 missiles ready for conflict at any time.

Local media reports China may have tested the Dongfeng-41 just two days before US President Donald Trump arrived for a one-on-one meeting with President Xi.

Estimates place the Dongfeng-41’s operational range between 7,500 and and 9,000 miles – putting the US comfortably in range.

The weapon can either be deployed from a hidden missile silo or loaded onto the back of a truck.

Relations have long been frosty between the US and China as the Communist giant continues to expand its influence in Asia.

    

China unveiled new hypersonic warheads last week as the superpower showed off its new state-of-the-art wind tunnel.

Hypersonic weapons are believed to be the next frontier in the development of missiles and aircraft.

Tensions between the US and North Korea have stoked fears China may intervene on Kim’s behalf in a war with Trump.