China's Modernising Nuclear Forces: In the Face of US Nuclear Primacy

In: East Asian Policy, Volume 10, Issue 3, p. 108-117

Abstract

Since 2001, when the United States has accelerated the strengthening of its nuclear primacy with a clearer strategy of assured destruction against any rivals, China has encountered greater pressure to further modernise its nuclear forces. In highlighting the enhanced credibility of its retaliation-based nuclear deterrence under the no-first-use doctrine, China is enhancing command and control of nuclear forces, upgrading its nuclear triad, and constructing its early warning and rapid response capabilities. However, with a further destabilising global nuclear order, more normative challenges have been plaguing China's nuclear modernisation.