China’s Nuclear Weapons Buildup Driven by Unrestricted Warfare Doctrine, Experts Say

Contact Your Elected Officials

The regime’s rapid expansion of nuclear capabilities strengthens its political and psychological position against the United States and allies, analysts say.

In recent years, the Chinese military has sharply increased the size and capabilities of its nuclear arsenal, acquiring a broader range of missiles and delivery systems for what was once a relatively limited strategic deterrent force.

Some observers believe that by expanding its nuclear capabilities, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aims to strengthen its geopolitical position in Asia and beyond.

Communist China has surpassed 600 operational nuclear warheads and is set to grow that number to more than 1,000 by 2030, according to an annual Pentagon assessment published in December 2024. This is up from the estimated 300 warheads deployed by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at the beginning of this decade.

Beijing is building hundreds of new missile silos, fielding a variety of improved strategic and tactical missiles, and testing fractional orbital bombardment systems, a type of space-based nuclear weapon with an effectively unlimited range. The PLA navy now operates six of the Type 094 class ballistic missile-carrying nuclear submarines, and has the more advanced Type 096 class under development, according to the Pentagon.

A July 30 report by the Washington-based Hudson Institute analyzing the CCP’s nuclear weapons strategy states that China’s enlarged nuclear forces would give the Party more options for imposing its demands and narratives upon neighboring countries, as well as diminish confidence in the ability of the United States to protect its allies.

From Minimal Deterrence to Active Nuclear Strategy

The Chinese arsenal remains far behind U.S. and Russian stockpiles, which together amount to about 8,000 operational nuclear warheads. According to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, about 1,770 U.S. weapons have been deployed since the beginning of 2025, the vast majority of them being strategic warheads.

Russia has about 1,700 strategic warheads deployed. Both Russia and the United States maintain much smaller numbers of tactical nuclear weapons for rapid use, while keeping thousands of warheads in reserve.

Strategic nuclear weapons are designed for long-range strikes to cause massive destruction of cities, infrastructure, or command centers.

Tactical nuclear weapons, by contrast, are intended for use on the battlefield against military targets such as troops, bases, and ships. They are typically shorter-ranged and have less sheer destructive power.

Researchers with the Taiwanese government-run Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) said Beijing’s nuclear buildup indicates a shift in strategy by the CCP to view nuclear weapons as a means of augmenting Chinese conventional military strength.

By Leo Timm

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

If Federal Food Assistance Programs End, Theft Begins

Many patriotic Americans well versed in American History have...

Tucker EN FUEGO: Taking Stock of MAGA, Ten Years on

Draining of the Swamp has yet to come anything close to fruition, as the creatures that populate said Swamp yet cling bitterly to power.

Tylenol’s Headache

When President Trump, RFK Jr., and Dr. Mehmet Oz called for pregnant women to avoid using acetaminophen, Tylenol got the headache.

American Restaurants Are Going Broke

U.S. restaurant bankruptcies surged to 22% in 2020 amid COVID-19 and stayed elevated at 14% last year due to Biden’s “Build Back Better” policy.

A Few Fun Alternatives to the”Gory Stuff” at Halloween

Halloween has gone off the rails with gore through the decades.  But there are ways to enjoy the "scary stuff" without giving into darker, pagan alliances.  

Emergency Funds Can’t Be Used to Keep Food Stamps Flowing: USDA

Emergency funds held by the USDA cannot be used to keep the food stamp program going if members of Congress don’t reach a funding agreement.

Democratic Unity Frays as Shutdown Drags On

A handful of legislators have crossed the aisle on reopening and worker-pay bills, testing Democratic party unity in week four of the shutdown

Federal Judge Strikes Down Biden-Era HHS Transgender Care Rule

A federal judge struck down a Biden-era rule extending federal health care anti-discrimination protections to individuals seeking transgender-related treatment.

US Sending Carrier Strike Group to Latin America, Pentagon Says

The Pentagon on Friday announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier to Latin America to target drug trafficking organizations.

Donor Gives $130 Million to Cover Shortfall in Troop Pay During Shutdown

Trump announced on Oct. 23 that an anonymous donor sent $130M to cover military pay during the ongoing government shutdown.

‘Frustration’ With Canada Led to Trump Scrapping Talks, Not Just Ontario’s Ad: US Official

President Trump cited Ontario’s TV ad as the reason for halting Canada trade talks, but officials say it stems from rising U.S. frustration with Ottawa.

Ontario to Pause Anti-Tariff Ad After Trump Terminates Trade Talks With Canada

Ontario pauses its TV ad campaign after Premier Doug Ford’s talk with PM Mark Carney, following backlash that halted U.S.-Canada trade talks.

Trump Terminates Trade Negotiations With Canada Over Anti-Tariffs Ad Featuring Reagan

President Trump is terminating all trade negotiations with Canada over a TV ad campaign sponsored by the provincial govt. of Ontario opposing U.S. tariffs.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central