China Boosts Nuclear Forces Amid Military Expansion
HONG KONG: China is significantly increasing its nuclear capabilities, alongside enhancing its conventional military strength, according to reports from U.S. military officials and arms control experts.
General Anthony Cotton, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command, informed Congress in March that Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed the military to be prepared to take control of Taiwan by 2027. This has prompted an expansion of China’s nuclear arsenal, which could be launched from land, air, and sea.
In its recent national defense policy, China reiterated its long-standing commitment to not being the first to use nuclear weapons in any situation. This “no first use” policy includes assurances that China will not employ or threaten nuclear weapons against states that do not have them.
When questioned, China’s defense ministry stated that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must not be fought,” emphasizing its approach of self-defense and adherence to the no-first-use policy.
However, the Pentagon’s annual report on Chinese military strength suggests that, despite China’s public assurances, the country might consider using nuclear weapons first if faced with conventional attacks that threaten its nuclear forces or command structure. The report indicated that Beijing might think about a nuclear response if a significant defeat in Taiwan posed a serious risk to the Communist regime’s survival.
China has criticized any portrayal of a “Chinese nuclear threat,” calling these narratives efforts to mislead the international community.
As per a report from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, China is rapidly modernizing its nuclear arsenal faster than any other nuclear power, now boasting approximately 600 warheads. The report highlights that China is constructing around 350 new missile silos and establishing additional bases for mobile launchers. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) currently has about 712 launchers for land-based missiles, though not all are designated for nuclear weapons.
Out of these launchers, 462 are capable of firing missiles that can reach the continental United States. While many of the PLA’s launchers are intended for shorter-range missiles targeting regional threats, the assessment indicates that most are not designated for nuclear strikes.
Looking ahead, the Pentagon estimates that the PLA could have over 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030, as it strives to build a more extensive arsenal that includes everything from low-yield precision missiles to intercontinental ballistic missiles with high explosive capacities.
