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Tuesday, 05/12/2020 10:00 a.m. (GMT + 7)
Hu Xijinm, editor-in-chief of the Global Times, recently said China needs to add 1,000 more nuclear warheads, including “at least 100 DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles” to ensure security deterrent.
DF-41 is the most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile on land in China.
According to SCMP, Mr. Hu’s call to expand his nuclear arsenal reflects the backward steps in relations between China and the United States. The call is met with strong criticism from experts.
The Global Times is a secondary publication of the People’s Daily, the spokesperson for the Chinese Communist Party. Hoan Cau often publishes nationalist editorials.
DF-41 is currently the most powerful ground-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in China, capable of carrying 10 nuclear warheads and a range that hits targets in the United States. DF-41 appeared in a parade to mark the 70th anniversary of China National Day last October in Beijing.
Hu called for the expansion of 1,000 more nuclear warheads, including “at least 100 DF41 missiles.” The comment posted on Hu’s Weibo social network was followed by many netizens.
China is now one of the five countries with nuclear weapons in the world. China’s nuclear arsenal is equivalent to that of Great Britain and France with around 200-300 nuclear warheads. This figure is relatively modest because the United States and Russia have more than 4,000 nuclear warheads.
Zhao Tong, a nuclear policy expert at the Carnegie-Tsinghua Global Policy Center in Beijing, said Hu’s point of view was inconclusive.
Zhao said mounting tensions with the United States are no reason for Beijing to expand its nuclear arsenal. “China’s nuclear capacity does not depend on relations with other countries. Relations with the United States, although tense but not harmful, “said Zhao. “The concerns about national security are understandable, but there is no basis for such a call.”
Some of the hawk officials in China think that Beijing is in conflict with the United States due to limited nuclear arsenals. Recently, the United States also introduced tactical nuclear weapons, which China does not have adequate countermeasures.
But Mr. Zhao said that the Chinese military has a plan to deal with conflicts in the region. “We all know that the Chinese army has short-range missiles equipped with nuclear warheads,” said Zhao.
Zhao also claimed that nuclear weapons for China are only a deterrent, not a provocation tool. After the first nuclear test in 1964, China made clear its position to use only nuclear weapons if attacked first.
Zhao said expanding nuclear arsenals was not a smart strategy, it only hurt international relations and arms control commitments.
“Expanding the most difficult nuclear weapons can make China feel stronger, but that does not mean that the world will be more respected,” Zhao said, referring to this undermining the ambition of full leadership. Beijing Bridge.
“For generations, leaders have always claimed that China does not pursue hegemony. The expansion of the nuclear arsenal does not represent this commitment from China, ”said Zhao.
Commenting on the statement by Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijinm, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said it was Mr. Hu’s “personal opinion”.
“China has always taken the position of not using nuclear weapons first. We always have a policy of moderation and responsibility related to nuclear weapons,” Hoa said at a press conference in Beijing.
He did not mention whether China would expand its nuclear arsenal, but said countries with the largest nuclear arsenals should “reduce the number of nuclear warheads.”
Source: http: //danviet.vn/chuyen-gia-doi-gao-nuoc-lanh-vao-loi-keu-goi-trung-quoc-bo-sung-1000-dau-dan-h …
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