LONDON (WSJ) – China has accelerated an expansion of its nuclear arsenal because of a change in its assessment of the threat posed by the U.S., people with knowledge of the Chinese leadership’s thinking say, shedding new light on a buildup that is raising tension between the two countries.
The Chinese nuclear effort long predates the Ukraine conflict, but the U.S.’s wariness about getting directly involved in the war there has likely reinforced Beijing’s decision to put greater emphasis on developing nuclear weapons as a deterrent.
Those close to the Chinese leadership’s thinking say it plans to have more than 1,000 nuclear warheads by the end of the decade.
It comes as satellite images show more than 100 suspected missile silos in China’s remote Western region, according to the report.
The silos, military experts say, could house nuclear-tipped missiles capable of reaching the U.S.
They say the build-up comes as China fears being attacked by Washington and have been spooked by anti-Chinese rhetoric under the Donald Trump and Joe Biden administrations.
American military officials fear the move could mean Beijing is preparing a surprise nuke strike on the U.S. - something China flatly denies.
It doesn’t want to be “pushed around” by the U.S., a ruling party insider says.
An insider with close links to the Chinese leadership said the strategic change in nuclear plans was because its “inferior nuclear capability could only lead to growing U.S. pressure” on Beijing.
The images taken in January show the last 45 temporary covers have been removed from the 120-missile-silo-strong facility, suggesting the most sensitive work had been completed, said Matt Korda, a senior researcher at a nuclear weapons think tank in Washington.
Work on the field began between March and October 2020, according to U.S. intelligence.
The silos are big enough to house new long-range Chinese missiles known as DF-41s.
The deadly weapons have become China’s weapon of choice because they are capable of hitting the U.S. mainland, analysts say.
“On the assertions made by U.S. officials that China is expanding dramatically its nuclear capabilities, first, let me say that this is untrue,” Fu Cong, director general of the Foreign Ministry said.
He says Beijing is working to ensure its nuclear deterrent meets the minimal level necessary for national defense.