Defence & Arms
China Upgrades Nuke Arsenal Faster Than Other States
By Christopher Bodeen, AP 8/5/08
May 10, 2008 - 10:51:29 AM

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”