China has expressed deep unease over reports suggesting that the United States is adjusting its nuclear strategy to focus on Beijing, a move it perceives as an excuse for Washington to expand its nuclear arsenal.
The "grave" concerns from Beijing come in response to a report by the New York Times revealing President Joe Biden's classified nuclear strategy, which aims to address the growing nuclear capabilities of China and other potential threats, as the Irish Star reports.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning conveyed Beijing's "grave concerns" regarding Washington's alleged shift in nuclear policy. Mao asserted that the U.S. is using the characterization of China as a "nuclear threat" as a pretext to evade its obligations under nuclear disarmament treaties and to justify an increase in its own nuclear capabilities.
Mao Ning further stated that China’s nuclear policy remains one of "no first use" and is strictly defensive, maintaining only the minimum nuclear capability necessary for national security. In contrast, Beijing accuses the U.S. of maintaining a first-strike nuclear stance, which it argues poses a significant threat to global stability.
The Times report disclosed that the Biden administration has growing concerns about China's expanding nuclear arsenal. The report highlighted that Biden's new strategic plan, known as "Nuclear Employment Guidance," was approved in March and emphasizes the perceived need to counter China's growing nuclear presence.
China's official position contrasts sharply with the U.S.'s stance. While Washington cites Beijing's nuclear expansion as a major concern, Mao Ning emphasized that China's nuclear arsenal is significantly smaller than that of the United States and Russia, with only about 500 warheads compared to the U.S.'s 5,044.
The Federation of American Scientists ranks Russia as having the largest nuclear arsenal globally, followed by the United States, with China in a distant third. Despite this, Beijing continues to accuse Washington of being the primary source of nuclear threats worldwide.
Chinese media outlets, including the state-run Global Times, have echoed these sentiments, arguing that the U.S. is using China as a scapegoat to justify its nuclear armament. The Global Times has called on the U.S. to engage in more constructive dialogue with China rather than resorting to what it describes as fear-mongering tactics.
The Biden administration, however, has defended its nuclear policy. White House spokesperson Sean Savett responded to the allegations by stating that the "Nuclear Employment Guidance" plan is not a secret and was not developed in response to any single threat. The White House insists that the plan is part of a routine review of U.S. nuclear strategy, which occurs every four years.
Since taking office, President Biden has reiterated his commitment to reducing the U.S. nuclear arsenal, even as concerns mount over China's rapid nuclear expansion. Pranay Vaddi, a senior director at the National Security Council, has expressed concerns that China, along with Russia and North Korea, is rapidly expanding and diversifying its nuclear arsenal without showing interest in arms control discussions.
The Pentagon has also raised alarms, reporting last year that China could potentially possess over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030. This projection has heightened fears within the U.S. government, leading to renewed calls for greater nuclear transparency and dialogue with Beijing.
In a rare move, U.S. officials held discussions with their Chinese counterparts in November last year, focusing on nuclear and non-proliferation issues. This meeting marked the first high-level dialogue between the two nations on these matters since 2019.
As the Biden administration continues to navigate the complex landscape of global nuclear threats, it faces the challenge of balancing its commitments to disarmament with the perceived need to counter China's growing capabilities. Beijing, meanwhile, remains adamant that its nuclear policy is purely defensive and warns against what it sees as U.S. provocations.
In conclusion, China has expressed serious concerns over the America's shift in nuclear strategy, accusing Washington of using Beijing as a pretext to expand its own nuclear arsenal. The Biden administration has defended its policy as a routine strategic review, despite growing concerns over China's nuclear expansion. Both nations emphasize the need for transparency and dialogue, but tensions continue to rise as each side accuses the other of escalating the nuclear threat.
