Abstract
The Chinese began their nuclear research in collaboration with the Soviet Union in the mid 1950s. However, by 1958 at the latest the Chinese had decided to develop their own nuclear weapons, since there were already problems in Sino-Soviet relations which led to a complete split by 1961. Considerable evidence exists to indicate that Soviet reluctance to transfer military technology, especially for nuclear weapons, was a cause of the Sino-Soviet split.1 On 16 October 1964 the Chinese detonated their first atomic device and exploded a thermonuclear bomb on 27 December 1968.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Notes
H. Ford, ‘Modern Weapons and the Sino-Soviet Estrangement’, China Quarterly, no. 18 (Apr.–June 1969) pp. 160–173.
W. Bartke, Who’s Who in the People’s Republic of China (Hamburg: Harvester, 1981).
W. Whitson (ed.), Military and Political Power in China in the 1970s, (Praeger, London: 1972)
H. Jencks, From Muskets to Missiles: Politics and Professionalism in the Chinese Army 1945–81 (Colorado: Westview Special Studies, 1982).
Text of report by Guo Cheng ‘A visit to Lop Nor nuclear testing ground’, reported by China News Agency in Chinese (15 Oct. 1984).
P. Godwin, The Chinese Defence Establishment (Westview, 1983) p. 44f.
BBC, Summary of World Broadcasts, Far East (5 May 1983).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Copyright information
© 1986 Oxford Research Group
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Beyer, J. et al. (1986). China. In: McLean, S. (eds) How Nuclear Weapons Decisions are Made. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-18081-3_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-18081-3_5
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-40583-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-18081-3
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)