© EPA/WU HAO Trump promised to catch up with opponents in nuclear weapons testing.
Following President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Washington would recommence atomic weapons experimentation , Bloomberg indicates that China has subtly rebuked proposed alterations to U.S. nuclear strategy, cautioning that the maintenance of substantial arsenals amplifies the likelihood of hostilities.
“Certain nations persist in modifying their atomic policies, stubbornly upholding vast atomic stockpiles, reinforcing atomic deterrents and combat proficiencies, thus escalating the potential for worldwide atomic warfare,” stated the White Paper on Arms Regulation, released on Thursday, November 27, by China’s State Council Information Office.
The document’s publication ensued after Trump pledged to equal his adversaries in atomic weaponry trials, and Russia disclosed testing of an atomic-powered underwater drone along with a cruise missile equipped with an atomic warhead. Trump mentioned that the United States would execute atomic tests “in the near future.”
It remains ambiguous whether Trump alluded to detonating atomic warheads — an action that would contravene a de facto global prohibition — or solely broadening delivery system trials, like intercontinental ballistic missiles, capable of transporting atomic warheads.
North Korea stands as the sole nation known to have examined atomic bombs this century. The DPRK most recently set off an atomic device in 2017.
In 2019, the United States exited a Cold War-era atomic disarmament pact with Russia, asserting Moscow had breached the accord by advancing forbidden missiles. Trump contended that the agreement held deficiencies because it omitted atomic-armed China, whose stockpile is growing.
Despite China possessing a more modest collection of atomic warheads compared to the United States and Russia, according to U.S. government estimates, Beijing is swiftly augmenting and upgrading its cache. China last examined an atomic bomb in 1996 but continues to examine missiles competent of conveying atomic weapons, encompassing an intercontinental ballistic missile in the past year, and hypersonic warheads, which exhibit elevated velocity and agility to circumvent interception.
Within a white paper, Beijing restated its adoption of an “exceptionally measured” stance toward atomic weapon development and its unwavering commitment to abstain from engaging in such an arms competition. In October, China’s foremost party echelon conveyed intentions to “bolster strategic deterrence capabilities” over the ensuing five years — a military phrase encompassing atomic forces.
The white paper further denounces “particular countries” for advancing missile defense infrastructures like the “Golden Dome,” which Trump intends to establish to safeguard U.S. territory not solely against restricted assaults by rogue states but additionally against extensive strikes from nations such as Russia and China. Select critics assert that the “Golden Dome” lacks technical feasibility.
Washington and Seoul are furthermore engaged in confidential discussions to cooperatively construct atomic-powered submarines for their naval forces. Admiral Daryl Caudle, the US chief of naval operations, suggested that these submarines might aid in counteracting China’s rapidly expanding naval force.
Is the globe once again descending into atomic instability? Oleksiy Izhak elucidated Trump’s rationale and his “atomic alternatives” in the article “ The End of the Nuclear Taboo? Why is Trump Talking About New Tests ?”