China expressed deep concern after The New York Times reported that President Biden had covertly adjusted U.S. nuclear strategy to address China’s growing nuclear capabilities. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning voiced apprehension at a press conference on Wednesday, accusing the U.S. of using China as a pretext to evade its nuclear disarmament commitments, expand its nuclear arsenal, and assert uncontested strategic dominance.
Mao emphasized that China’s nuclear arsenal is smaller compared to that of the U.S. She asserted that China adheres to a no-first-use policy regarding nuclear weapons, maintains a defensive nuclear strategy, and keeps its nuclear capabilities at the minimum necessary for national security.
China reacts strongly after reports reveal Biden’s covert nuclear strategy shift to address China’s growing arsenal
She criticized the U.S. for being the main aggressor, possessing the largest and most sophisticated nuclear arsenal, and actively modernizing its weapons. Mao also condemned the U.S. for its first-use policy, although the U.S. maintains it would only use nuclear weapons in response to a major attack or invasion.
China has also seen state media articles blaming the U.S. for nuclear tensions and urging the Pentagon to halt its arms race escalation.
According to The Times, Biden’s administration approved a highly classified update in March to the U.S. nuclear strategy, for the first time focusing on China’s expanding nuclear arsenal. This strategy, part of the quadrennial review of nuclear policy, also addresses the nuclear challenges posed by Russia and North Korea.
While the U.S. and Russia currently lead the world in nuclear stockpiles, China is rapidly increasing its capabilities. The Pentagon estimates that China could possess up to 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030. The Biden administration has recognized the escalating threat from China’s nuclear developments and has adjusted its strategy accordingly, a move supported by many lawmakers.
In a June address, Pranay Vaddi, the top arms control official at the White House’s National Security Council, confirmed that the U.S. strategy has evolved to address the increasingly complex and dangerous security environment. Despite this shift, Vaddi assured that the U.S. remains committed to preventing nuclear weapon use and maintaining only the necessary deterrence capabilities.
The U.S. is investing over $1 trillion to modernize its nuclear forces, including new intercontinental ballistic missiles, bomber aircraft, and submarines. The modernization efforts, particularly the Sentinel missiles, and the B-21 Raider bombers, have faced outstanding cost overruns and technical challenges.
