Taiwan has successfully test fired its first cruise missile, which would allow the island to hit major military targets in southeast China, the China Times reported Sunday.

The Hsiung Feng cruise missile, developed by the military-run Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, has a range of 1,000 kilometers and could be used to attack military bases in southeast China, the paper said.

"Once deployed, it would mark the first time that Taiwan is able to put 'strategic weapons' into use. Its political and military impact would be far-reaching," the paper said.

The defense ministry declined to comment on the report.

The newspaper said Defense Minister Lee Jye witnessed the test firing of the missile from Chiupeng military base in the southern Pingtung county. The missile flew over 500 kilometers before hitting its target.

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