China underscores nuclear weapons as “foundation” of its security

Posted on : 2016-05-30 17:39 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Beijing now planning to introduce nuclear submarines in the Pacific, apparently to drive away US submarines
World nuclear forces(as of January 2015). Source:SIPRI yearbook 2015
World nuclear forces(as of January 2015). Source:SIPRI yearbook 2015

China is stressing the need to step up its nuclear capabilities and increase nuclear submarine activity in the wake of North Korea‘s fourth nuclear test, the US’s resulting push to introduce the THAAD missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula, and efforts to boost the US-Japan alliance over conflicts in the East and South China Seas.

Comparing the nuclear stockpiles of China with those of Russia and the US, a May 28 editorial in the Global Times said Beijing was justified in increasing its nuclear capabilities as “the most important foundation of China’s national security.”

“History shows that balanced power better contributes to peace,” the editorial continued.

“China should increase its number of nuclear weapons, and enhance their survival power and capability to hit the targets,” it said.

The calls read as a response to reports by the Pentagon and western media outlets on recent indications that China plans to introduce nuclear submarines in the Pacific Ocean for the first time. A May 26 report in the Guardian quoted Chinese military officials as saying authorities in Beijing were considering the nuclear submarine card as a way of strengthening their own nuclear deterrent in response to recent US pressure. Factors indicated by the newspaper included the US’s full-scale push in March to introduce a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on the Korean Peninsula and work toward developing a hypersonic glide missile capable of striking against China in under an hour.

Traditionally, China has maintained a strict stance against preemptive nuclear strikes, insisting that its nuclear capabilities are meant only as a deterrent. Concerns that its current ground launch-dependent nuclear weapons system might not be an effective deterrent under modern nuclear war conditions also appear to have been a factor.

“China’s technologies related to nuclear-powered submarine and the launch of strategic missiles from below the water have been advancing. It is time the People’s Liberation Army sends nuclear submarines into the depth of the Pacific Ocean for regular patrols,” the Global Times noted.

“China’s land-based ballistic missile mobility has also witnessed significant upgrades. The survival capability of China’s nuclear forces are much better than in the past,” it continued.

But changes to the basic concept of China’s nuclear capabilities as a “deterrent” appear unavoidable once the submarines are deployed. China has historically stressed the fact that its nuclear warheads and projectiles are kept in separate storage under “the control of the supreme leadership” - but nuclear submarines are equipped with both. Some have also suggested the presence of Chinese nuclear submarines could create a hair-trigger situation in the Pacific Ocean and Northeast Asia.

“The Chinese Navy is going to try to drive away any US Navy reconnaissance submarines that try to approach China’s nuclear submarines in the South [China] Sea,” said Renmin University of China professor Wu Riqiang, suggesting US and China submarine operations in disputed regions of the South China Sea could heighten tensions.

By Kim Oi-hyun, staff reporter

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