China's buildup of nuclear arsenal 'concerning', says US
The United States has expressed concern over China's reported buildup of its nuclear arsenal, calling on Beijing to pursue practical measures to reduce the risks of arms races.
Ned Price, the US State Department spokesperson, made the comment in a regular news briefing on Thursday, responding to a question about a report in the Washington Post that China had begun constructing more than 100 new missile silos in a desert area in the western part of the country.
Citing commercial satellite images obtained by researchers at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in California, the American daily newspaper said the construction sites contained features that mirrored existing launch facilities for China’s existing arsenal of nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.
"These reports and other developments suggest that the PRC's nuclear arsenal will grow more quickly, and to a higher level than perhaps previously anticipated," Price told reporters at the presser, using the acronym for the People's Republic of China.
"This buildup is concerning. It raises questions about the PRC's intent. And for us, it reinforces the importance of pursuing practical measures to reduce nuclear risks," he added.
"We encourage Beijing to engage with us on practical measures to reduce the risks of destabilizing arms races — potentially destabilizing tensions."
The United States has in the past raised similar concerns about the possibility of a nuclear war with China or Russia over their rapid advances in nuclear capabilities and accused them of destabilizing behaviors.
China has over the years embraced a “limited deterrence” doctrine that prioritizes a lean but robust nuclear arsenal that ensures Beijing’s ability to retaliate against any adversary if attacked.
Beijing has repeatedly complained about nuclear modernization programs proposed or already underway in the United States, saying its nuclear arsenal is dwarfed by those of Washington.
MG
