China is “making the most dramatic improvements in its
nuclear force” of slightly more than 100 missiles, said Bates Gill of the
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, speaking to reporters in
Beijing. “China stands out in its efforts to modernize, expand and
improve its nuclear weapons capability.”
The nation has improved the accuracy and mobility of its
missile arsenal and has deployed more solid-fueled missiles, allowing for
shorter launch preparation times, Gill said.
Meanwhile, Beijing has concentrated even more resources
toward boosting the country’s conventional military power.
“This is a dramatic increase in the military capability of
China, targeted mostly at Taiwan but clearly with the possibility going forward
of force projection elsewhere,” Gill said. “So this again muddies the
picture for us when we think of China as a player in the arms control agenda”
