The United States (US) published a document outlining its intentions to expand their nuclear capabilities with the objective of discouraging other nations such as China, from advancing their nuclear capabilities. The Nuclear Posture Review document states that the US is on a path to recalibrate its nuclear prowess following imminent threats that nations with nuclear arsenals have refused to reduce their nuclear capabilities.
The policy review should act as a scare tactic for other nations to give in to Donald Trump’s proposals for other nations to downsize nuclear efforts. A brief overview on the matter reflects on Obama’s Nuclear Posture Review in 2010. It set a high beginning for the use of nuclear weapons. Obama’s administrations may not have settled for not using a nuclear approach but said that the US will only use its nuclear options when faced with extreme circumstances. The review also added that the US will not use its nuclear arsenal against non-nuclear countries that comply with the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
China’s Opinion on the Matter
China Defence Minister, Chang Wanquan termed US’s move to review its nuclear policy a “Cold War Mentality.” Speaking for China, he urged the US to drop its cold war mentality caused by its (China’s) military buildup. China is reported to capacitate its military efforts by increasing military bases in artificial islands constructed in the South China Sea. The exercise appeared to exhibit the nation as a renegade country to its neighbors and Washington.
The Defence Minister then went on to say that peace and development are a permanent global trend. He added that the US is a country with the largest nuclear arsenal on the globe, it should be the first nation to move towards peaceful solutions rather than go against it.
The Friday document has also riled Russia who viewed the document as a confrontational strategy. Russia urged that the move will increase the risk of miscalculations between Russia and the US. The US military referred to China and Russia as “revisionist powers” in a national defence strategy it unveiled in January.
Chang added that the US made presumptuous speculations on China’s move to expand its military presence in the South China Sea islands. He said that the US has always maintained a restrained attitude towards the development of a nuclear arsenal and as such, its new review goes against tradition and policy. The Minister hoped that the US will abandon its cold war mentality and resume the nuclear disarmament program.
China called on the US to work together and for their armies to be the stabilizing factor in Sino-US relations in the region.
