US Says China Has Significantly Expanded Its Nuclear Arsenal

Facts

• A new report from the Pentagon has claimed that, as of May this year, China holds over 500 operational nuclear warheads — an increase from an estimated 400 in 2021.¹
• The US Dept. of Defense's annual China Military Power Report claimed the figures to be in line with previous assessments, while also stating its concern over what it described as the quickening development of China's nuclear arsenal. A senior US defense official said Beijing is 'expanding and investing in their land-, sea- and air-based nuclear delivery platforms.'²
• The report also claims that Beijing desires to double its stock of nuclear warheads to over 1K by 2030. Chinese President Xi Jinping has previously stated that the country will hold a 'world-class military' by 2049.³
• The document warned that China 'may be exploring' the development of 'armed intercontinental range missile systems' that have the capability to 'threaten conventional strikes' within range of the continental US, Hawaii, and Alaska.⁴
• According to China's public budget statistics, military spending for 2023 rose to ¥1.58T (US$216B) — an increase of 7.2%. China has publicly stated that it adheres to a 'no first use' policy concerning nuclear weapons.⁵
• The US, as permitted by the New Start arms control treaty, has 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads.⁶

Sources: ¹NPR Online News, ²VOA, ³BBC News, ⁴Nikkei Asia, ⁵CBS and ⁶FT.

Narratives

• Anti-China narrative, as provided by The Hill. As America's fastest-growing nuclear rival, China is hypocritically calling for the withdrawal of US nuclear weapons while rapidly expanding its own arsenal. To neutralize this danger, Washington must call China's bluff and freeze nuclear redeployment into Asia in return for Beijing's pausing of its own nuclear projects. If this doesn't occur, China's nuclear military strength will only continue to strengthen in the years and decades to come — a reality that must be avoided.
• Pro-China narrative, as provided by China Daily. While China continues to be hyped within Western media as a nuclear threat, recent reports show that the modernization and growth of nuclear arsenals are expanding globally. The PRC, like any other country, requires sophisticated weaponry to ensure national security, and the legitimate growth of nuclear capabilities is necessary. While the West will continue to demonize China, Beijing will continue to act only to ensure the safety of its national sovereignty.

Predictions