Washington – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, by expressing concern about China’s growing nuclear arsenal, said, ‘For the past several decades, nuclear weapons only for defence has been the policy of the Chinese regime. But now, the Chinese regime seems to have deviated from that policy. China has been rapidly increasing its nuclear arsenal over the past few years.’ According to the State Department, the issue was raised by the US Secretary of State at a meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum.
In the last few months, the United States has stepped up efforts to strengthen its ties with Southeast Asian nations to bolster its front against China. Last month, Wendy Sherman, a senior US State Department official, visited Southeast Asia. This was followed by a visit to Southeast Asia by US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. Earlier this month, Secretary of State Antony Blinken also started talks with Southeast Asian nations. Statements at the Regional Forum are considered part of the same strategy.
At the Regional Forum, Blinken also raised the issue of North Korea’s denuclearisation, along with the Chinese nuclear weapons. At the same time, ASEAN countries also drew attention to the growing hegemonic actions being taken by China in the South China Sea. China has also reacted to Blinken’s remarks, saying the United States should not interfere in affairs of other countries.
Disturbing reports are being consistently received over the past few months regarding Chinese nuclear weapons. In June, a statement released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (CIPRI) found that China had 350 nuclear weapons. According to a CIPRI report, China is rapidly increasing its nuclear stockpile and is in the process of modernising it.
After that, in the last month, a new report was released by the US think tank, Federation of American Scientists. It said that China has begun construction of about 110 silos needed for nuclear weapons in the eastern part of Xinjiang province. The think tank also published satellite photographs of the Chinese movements. According to a US study, the number of silos in China is estimated to be between 400 and 900, taking into account the number of silos already under construction.
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