Chinese nuclear weapons pose bigger threat to US than Russia

Washington – Chinese claims about their nuclear weapons are not credible. Besides, there are no mechanisms to avert miscommunication, said Lt. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, US Strategic Command deputy chief. The US military has also released a report on China’s growing nuclear arsenal, stating that China’s defence forces are making the highest investment in building nuclear capabilities.

Concerning reports about China’s growing nuclear program are received consistently over the past few months. In June, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released a report that mentions China possessing 350 nuclear weapons. China is rapidly increasing its nuclear stockpile and is in the process of modernizing it, according to a SIPRI report. Last month, US think tank, the Federation of American Scientists, released a statement that warned about the construction of about 110 silos needed for nuclear weapons in the eastern part of Xinjiang province. The think tank also published satellite imagery of Chinese developments. Based on existing and newly constructed silos, the US think tank estimated the number of nuclear weapons in China to be between 400 and 900.

Since then, the US military has released a report entitled ‘Chinese Tactics’ focusing on China’s growing nuclear arsenal. The report highlights People’s Liberation Army of China is increasing its nuclear capabilities despite an open policy of ‘minimal nuclear deterrence.’ China has not signed any nuclear deal. Therefore, China is free to develop small as well as medium-range nuclear weapons.

The report ‘Chinese Tactics’ highlights and warns of China’s heavy investment to develop nuclear weapons. Lt. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, deputy chief of the Strategic Command, warned that China’s nuclear arsenal would bigger threat to US than Russia. Lieutenant General Thomas Bussiere has warned about the dangers of the growing number of nuclear weapons and the way they are operationally fielded. He also draws attention to the lack of established dialogue mechanisms between the United States and China to deal with nuclear issues and alleviate any misperceptions or confusion.

A few days ago, Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, also expressed concern about the growing Chinese nuclear threat. He said that for the last several decades, China pursued a policy of minimum nuclear deterrent. But now, the Chinese regime seems to have deviated from that policy. China has rapidly increased the nuclear weapon stockpile in the last few years.