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The United States military says China will increase the size of its nuclear weapons supply by at least 100 percent over the next 10 years.
The Defense Department made the prediction in an annual report to Congress, called “China Military Power.” The report was released on Tuesday. He says China’s plan to modernize and expand its nuclear force is part of a larger effort to match and, in some cases, surpass the US military by 2049 as the leading power in the Indo-Pacific area.
The report says that China is believed to have more than 200 nuclear bombs. They are said to include nuclear warheads that can be attached to missiles that can reach the United States.
Much larger US supply
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Chad Sbragia spoke to reporters about the report. He said the army leadership is concerned about the number of bombs, “but also trajectory of China’s nuclear developments wrote big. “
America’s nuclear supply, with its estimated 3,800 active nuclear warheads, is still far greater than China’s. The United States has submarines, planes, and long-range missiles that can carry out nuclear attacks. China lacks the ability to launch nuclear weapons from the air. However, the new report notes that the Chinese military announced late last year that it had an air-to-air refueling plane, one equipped to carry such weapons.
In the past 15 years, the Chinese Navy has built 12 nuclear submarines, the report noted. Six of them can be used as nuclear energy at sea. deterrents. By the mid-2020s, according to the report, China will likely build a new nuclear attack submarine with guided missiles. It could carry out a secret ground attack if it is equipped with the right missiles.
China has rejected pressure from the Trump administration to join the United States and Russia in an agreement to limit nuclear weapons. If China doesn’t join the treaty, known as the New START, the US could allow the deal. expire in February 2021.
‘Behavior that breaks the rules’
Last week, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper warned that the world’s “free and open” system was under attack for what he called China’s “rule-breaking behavior” in the Indo-Pacific area. Peaceful. Esper spoke during a layover in Hawaii. He is now visiting countries in Asia and the Pacific islands to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Esper called the Indo-Pacific area the “epicenter” of great power competition. He promised that the United States would not deliver a inch to countries that threaten international freedoms.
A US official told VOA that Chinese forces fired four missiles into the disputed South China Sea last week during military exercises.
Subsequently, the US military issued a statement. He said China’s actions violate its promise not to militarize the South China Sea. He also said that China’s actions do not support the United States. vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific area.
I am Caty Weaver.
The Reuters news agency reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
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Words in this story
trajectory – n. a path, progression, or line of development that resembles a physical trajectory – example: an upward career path
wrote big – language displayed in a clear way
deterrent – n. something that makes someone decide not to do something
expire – v. to end, cease to be in effect after a period of time
inch – n. a unit of length equal to ¹ / ₃₆ yard (2.54 centimeters)
vision – n. something dreamed or imagined
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