According to a media report, China is accelerating efforts to expand its nuclear arsenal because it is gravely concerned about the threat posed by the United States.
According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, China’s leadership made a strategic decision to strengthen the country’s nuclear deterrence long before the current conflict in Ukraine.
However, recent events in Europe, as well as the increasingly antagonistic rhetoric between Beijing and Washington over Taiwan, have prompted an acceleration of the programme, according to RT.
The report also cites satellite imagery of more than 100 suspected missile silos in one of China’s western regions, where increased activity has been detected, according to RT.
According to the newspaper, these facilities could house China’s new long-range DF-41 missile, which will be operational in 2020.
According to the report, this type of missile can carry a nuclear warhead and can reach the US mainland.
According to sources cited in the Journal report, Chinese authorities now suspect that Washington’s endgame is the overthrow of the Chinese Communist Party, and that the US may be willing to take greater risks to halt China’s rise.
Furthermore, Beijing is reportedly concerned that if a military conflict over Taiwan erupts, Washington will use its nuclear weapons.
The report concludes with a quote from a retired Chinese military official who says that “no matter how the situation develops in the future, the world will be more confrontational,” implying that “China must definitely maintain nuclear deterrence.”
