– China has made “impressive progress” in developing new nuclear weapons, but it will only use them for self-defense, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe told delegates at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday.
In response to a question about reports last year about the construction of more than 100 new nuclear missile silos in eastern China, he said that China “has always sought an appropriate path to develop nuclear capabilities for the protection of our country.” Read full story
He added that the nuclear weapons displayed at a 2019 military parade in Beijing — which included upgraded launchers for China’s DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles — were operational and deployed. Read full story
“China has developed its capabilities for more than five decades. It is fair to say that there has been impressive progress,” he said. “China’s policy is consistent. We use it for self-defense. We will not be the first to use nuclear weapons.”
He said the ultimate goal of China’s nuclear arsenal is to prevent nuclear war.
“We developed nuclear capabilities to protect the Chinese people’s hard work and protect our people from the scourge of nuclear war,” he said.
The US State Department last year called China’s nuclear buildup a concern and said it looked like Beijing was straying from decades of nuclear strategy based on minimal deterrence. He called on China to engage with him “in practical steps to reduce the risks of destabilizing arms races”. Read full story
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
