According to The Financial Times, China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August that circled the globe before rushing towards its target.

According to the publication, the test demonstrates China's advanced space capability, which "surprised US intelligence."

According to the report, the Chinese military launched a rocket carrying a hypersonic glide vehicle that went into low-orbit space before cruising toward its target, citing five personnel "familiar with the test."

It missed the target by around two dozen miles, but the article stated it demonstrated China's "astonishing progress" in hypersonic weapons.

The United States, Russia, and China are all developing hypersonic weapons. In July, Russia conducted a test of one of these missiles. The US Navy intends to equip all warships with these missiles, which can move five times faster than sound. Hypersonic missiles are slower than existing ballistic missiles, but unlike older technology, they can be controlled after launch, making it easier to avoid defense systems.

The Pentagon has yet to respond to the report.

"We have made clear our concerns about China's continued pursuit of military capabilities, capabilities that will only heighten tensions in the region and beyond," Defense Department spokesman John Kirby told the Financial Times. "This is one of the reasons China is our top pacing challenge."

A spokeswoman for the Chinese Embassy in London, Liu Pengyu, described China's military posture as "defensive in nature."

"Unlike the US, we don't have a global strategy and military operations plans," Liu remarked. "And we have no desire to engage in an arms race with other nations."