China and nuclear weapons

SEPTEMBER 2019 China AND nuclear WEAPONSCAITLIN TALMADGEDOMAINS OF STRATEGIC COMPETITION1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFor decades, nuclear weapons have been largely peripheral to relations, but the nuclear relationship is now growing more competitive as both countries pursue major programs to modernize their forces. China s efforts to strengthen its relatively small nuclear arsenal seem largely oriented toward improving survivability and do not appear to constitute a shift away from the country s long-standing No First Use (NFU) policy. Nevertheless, the improvements are provoking anxiety in Washington, which has long resisted acknowledging a state of mutual nuclear vulnerability with core concern is likely that improvements in China s nuclear arsenal, even if intended only to improve survivability, will reduce the ability to limit damage in the worst-case scenario of an all-out nuclear war with China . The preference for damage limitation, largely through missile defense and counterforce capabilities, should not be taken to mean that the United States intends to start a nuclear war or that it believes it could emerge from a nuclear war unscathed.

Sep 30, 2019 · GLOBAL CHINA CHINA AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS DOMAINS OF STRATEGIC COMPETITION 2 appear largely oriented toward improving survivability. In other words, China is seeking a more secure

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