Chinese authorities have expressed concern about a secret review of U.S. nuclear strategy that suggests China’s arsenal is growing and risks nuclear “cooperation” between Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang.
“For the first time since the Cold War, America’s covert nuclear strategy has shifted its focus from Russia to China, raising ‘serious concerns’ in Beijing,” Le Figaro wrote.
The New York Times previously reported that U.S. President Joe Biden approved revised “nuclear weapons guidelines” in March that focus on China, its rapidly expanding nuclear capabilities, and potential nuclear “cooperation” between China, Russia and North Korea.
Commenting on the news, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, “The United States is spreading the idea that China is a nuclear threat to create an excuse to gain strategic advantage.”
According to Le Figaro, “Washington’s concerns are not unfounded. China usually pursues a policy of minimum deterrence by limiting the number of nuclear weapons, but satellite imagery from 2022 revealed the construction of several launch silos capable of housing up to 300 intercontinental missiles.”
The Pentagon said in its 2023 annual report that Beijing currently has 500 nuclear warheads and could have 1,000 by 2030.
China’s nuclear buildup cannot be viewed in isolation, and Washington must consider the possibility of cooperation between Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang, according to the New York Times.
According to the paper, “While it previously seemed unlikely, new partnerships between Russia and China and arms supplies to North Korea and Iran have changed Washington’s view.”
