China’s state-run Global Times newspaper said experts are urging the nation to ramp up its nuclear development to counter the U.S.
Exports specifically urged China to increase nuclear warhead supply to 1,000, development of the H-20 stealth bomber, and the JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile to complete “a technologically advanced nuclear triad … to deter potential impulsive military action by U.S. warmongers.”
The H-20 stealth bomber is comparable to the U.S. B-2 bomber, China claims, and is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional weapons, and fly intercontinental missions for deterrence.
“Having a nuclear arsenal appropriate to China’s position will help establish a more stable and peaceful world order, which will be beneficial for the whole world,” the experts reportedly determined.
The experts also reportedly recommended expanding China’s DF-41 strategic missiles to 100. The DF-41 is an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 12,000 to 15,000 km (7,456 to 9,320 miles) and is regarded as the longest-range missile in the world, according to the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
The DF-41 was revealed in a Chinese military parade in October 2019, and China boasts it “is capable of striking the US homeland with multiple nuclear warheads.”
“China needs to expand the number of its nuclear warheads to 1,000 in a relatively short time and have at least 100 DF-41 strategic missiles to curb US strategic ambitions and impulses toward China,” the piece said.
China pointed to a number of recent U.S. actions, claiming them to be threats, although the U.S. acted within international law through freedom of navigation operations.
China claims it follows a “no use first” policy in regards to nuclear weapons, and only views the weapons as part of its deterrence strategy.
“Any deterrence needs to be strong enough to halt military aggression toward China,” the piece said. “If a nuclear weapon is dropped on China, Chinese nuclear weapons must be sufficient to wipe out the enemy in retaliation.”
The U.S. has urged China to discuss joining a strategic arms reduction treaty (START), but China has insisted it will not do so unless it can develop a similar size weapons arsenal as the U.S. has – something China is far from doing.
