China poised to scrap its 55-year ‘no first use’ policy on nukes as fears grow of war with America
In 1964, it became the first nation to sign up to the pledge not to use nuclear weapons unless attacked by an enemy using them
CHINA is poised to scrap its long-standing 'no first use' policy on nukes amid mounting fears it may get dragged into a "no-win" war with the US, say experts.
In 1964, it became the first nation to sign up to a pledge not to use nuclear weapons unless attacked by an enemy using them.
The US has steadfastly refused to adopt the policy, insisting it "reserves the right to use" nuclear weapons first in the case of conflict.
And the UK has said it is prepared to use nuclear weapons against "rogue states" if they ever used weapons of mass destruction against Brit troops in battle.
For years Beijing has seemed proud of its very public NFU stance, but experts say that may be about to all change.
Now a multi-billion pound naval arms race is piling pressure on China to reconsider its long-standing nuclear policy,
Experts say historically, China was always incapable of launching a pre-emptive strike anyway so had little choice but to retain its policy.
However, after President Xi pledged billions to make his massive military a modern-day fighting force things have started to change.
NO SECOND STRIKE OPTION
Hong Kong-based military expert Song Zhongping said China’s nuclear capability has also always lagged well behind Russia - which with the US has more than 90 per cent of the world’s nukes.
“China needs to strengthen and improve its at-sea nuclear deterrent capability by increasing both the quality and quantity of its SSBNs and attack subs because the US is making every effort to restrain Chinese strategic subs from sailing further,” Song said.
He said America’s moves for this “are aimed at undermining Beijing’s second-strike capability” which some say could leave them no option but to strike first.
The US and China are both capable of delivering nukes three ways - land-launched missiles, nuclear missile-armed submarines and strategic aircraft armed with nuclear bombs and missiles.
The PLA Navy so far has four Type 094 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, each outfitted with 16 JL-2 missiles for routine underwater patrols – equivalent to the missile component of their Western counterparts.
Meanwhile, the US Navy has 18 Ohio-class nuclear-powered submarines, with 14 capable of carrying up to 24 powerful Trident I missiles.
Yesterday we told how the Chinese military is building four more nuclear aircraft carriers to take on the US in the crucial battle to control the South China Sea.
SOUTH CHINA CRISIS
Each battleship will reportedly be equipped with electromagnetic aircraft catapults similar to those already being used by the US Navy.
China currently only has one carrier in active service – the Liaoning - compared to the US which has 20 in operation.
America also expects the biggest carrier in the world, the 100,000 tonne USS Gerald R Ford, to join its fleet sometime next year.
The seafaring giant has the capacity to carry more than 75 aircraft and can accommodate a massive crew of more than 4,500.
after decades of trying to close the gap, China’s naval hardware might finally being catching up .
China’s hi-tech new nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are all expected to join the navy by 2035, said expert Wang Yunfei.
Concerns are mounting the two superpowers could become embroiled in a terrifying conflict in the region which could kill thousands.
Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst in defence strategy at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said: "Expect greater tension in the South China Sea. China won’t back down - nor will the US.
"The South China Sea will remain a key flashpoint between China and the US, who are now engaged in an extended period of strategic competition."
