China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal, Pentagon says
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On October 1, 2019, military vehicles with DF-5B intercontinental missiles participated in a parade in Beijing at Tiananmen Square. This was to commemorate the 70th anniversary of China’s founding.
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WASHINGTON – The Pentagon said Wednesday that China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal and could have 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030, part of Beijing’s ambitious military buildup.
This update represents a significant increase in the estimate compared to the last year’s China Military Power Report, which estimated that there were around 400 warheads per decade.
According to the Pentagon, “Over the next 10 years, the PRC intends to modernize diversify, expand and extend its nuclear force.” in a congressionally mandated reportThe People’s Republic of China is referred to as “”
The report stated that the PRC was expanding the number of its sea, land and air-based nuke delivery platforms as well as constructing infrastructure to help support its major nuclear expansion. It also said that China had begun construction of at least three intercontinental missile silo facilities.
China’s arsenal continues to grow, but it is still far less than Russia and the United States which hold the majority of nuclear weapons in the world. American has approximately 3,750 nuclear warheads in its stockpile.
Washington previously called upon China to join Russia and the U.S. in an arms control treaty.
After inspecting troops at Tiananmen Square, 1949 to mark the 70th anniversary of China’s founding, President Xi Jinping rides in a Hong Qi vehicle. This was on October 1, 2019, in Beijing.
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Concerns are also raised about Beijing’s aggressive attitude toward Taiwan in the report.
According to the Pentagon’s report, “Although Taiwan is being peacefully unification advocated by the PRC, it has never abdicated the use of military force.”
China also has a number of military options against Taiwan, including possible air- and maritime blockades or a large-scale amphibious incursion.
Last month, Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, vowed to seek peaceful “reunification” with Taiwan.
“The historic task of the total reunification and acquiescence of the motherland must now be accomplished, and it will be done.” Xi said in an October 8 address
On Wednesday, the highest ranking military officer of the country told the Aspen Security Forum audience that it was unlikely that the Chinese Communist Party would take over Taiwan in the coming years.
U.S. Army General Mark Milley (chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) stated that China is unlikely to be a threat in the near future based on his analysis.
“But, despite that, it is clear and unambiguous that the Chinese have the ability to offer those options to the nation’s leadership at any time in the near future. In the not too distant future. It’s unlikely. Milley stated that “anything can happen.”
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