China has accelerated an expansion of its nuclear arsenal because of a change in its assessment of the threat posed by the US, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people with knowledge of the Chinese leadership’s thinking, shedding new light on a buildup that is raising tension between the two countries.
The Chinese nuclear effort long predates Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the US’s wariness about getting directly involved in the war there has likely reinforced Beijing’s decision to put greater emphasis on developing nuclear weapons as a deterrent, some of these people say. Chinese leaders see a stronger nuclear arsenal as a way to deter the US from getting directly involved in a potential conflict over Taiwan.
Read the full report: The Wall Street Journal
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