Chinese authorities have expressed concern about a secret review of US nuclear strategy that points to an increase in China's arsenal and the risks of nuclear "cooperation" between Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang.
"The United States' secret nuclear strategy has shifted its focus from Russia to China for the first time since the Cold War, raising 'serious concerns' in Beijing," Le Figaro wrote.
The New York Times reported earlier that US President Joe Biden approved in March a revised “nuclear weapons guidelines” that now focus on China and its rapid expansion of nuclear capabilities, as well as potential nuclear “coordination” between China, Russia and North Korea.
Commenting on the news, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said, "The US is spreading the idea of China's nuclear threat to create a pretext to seek a strategic advantage."
According to Le Figaro, “Washington’s fears are not unfounded: China usually pursues a policy of minimal deterrence, with a limited number of nuclear weapons, but in 2022, satellite images revealed the construction of several launch silos, which could contain up to 300 intercontinental missiles.”
In its 2023 annual report, the Pentagon noted that Beijing has 500 active nuclear warheads and will have 1,000 by 2030.
This increase in Chinese nuclear capabilities cannot be viewed in isolation, and according to an article published by the New York Times, Washington needs to consider possible coordination between Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang.
According to the newspaper, "If this seemed unlikely earlier, the emerging partnership between Russia and China, as well as arms supplies to North Korea and Iran, have changed Washington's view."