Abstract
China has maintained a nuclear force primarily for two purposes: to free China from nuclear blackmail and to enhance its security at a minimum cost. Generally speaking, China’s nuclear-weapon policy has nine basic components: minimum deterrence, no first use, nonproliferation, security assurance to nonnuclear weapon states (NNWS), security assurance to nuclear weapon states (NWS), nuclear disarmament, respect for the right of peaceful development of nuclear energy, opposition to ballistic missile defense systems, and peaceful resolution of nuclear crises.
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Notes
Bates Gill, “China’s Nuclear Agenda,” New York Times, September 7, 2001.
“Speech at the NMD Briefing by Ambassador Sha Zukang,” Permanent Mission of the PRC to the UN Mission at Geneva, March 14, 2001.
“Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi, Head of the Chinese Delegation, on Security Assurances for Non-Nuclear-Weapon States at the 3rd Session of the PrepCom for the 2005 NPT Review Conference,” April 30, 2004, at http://www.china-un.org/eng/xw/t94693.htm. Accessed on February 12, 2008.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, “Fact Sheet: China: Nuclear-Weapon Proliferation Prevention,” April 27, 2004, http://www.globalsecurity.orgwmd/library/report/2004/prcnuclear-proliprevention-factsheet_27apr2004.htm. Accessed on February 12, 2008.
“Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi, Head of the Chinese Delegation, on Security Assurances for Non-Nuclear Weapon States at the 3rd Session of the PrepCom for the 2005 NPT Review Conference,” April 30, 2004, at http://www.china-un.orgeng/xw/t94693.htm. Accessed on February 12, 2008.
“Speech at the NMD Briefing by Ambassador Sha Zukang,” Permanent Mission of the PRC to the UN Mission at Geneva, March 14, 2001.
“Sha Zukang qiangdiao zhongguo fandui meiguo gao NMD” (Sha Zukang stressed that China is opposed to US development of NMD), http://www.chinamil.com.cnitem/nmd/content/news1987666-nmd.htm. Accessed on February 12, 2008. Professor Wu Xinbo also said that the U.S. development of the NMD would encourage China to increase its nuclear weapons and their penetration capability. December 15, 2001, http://www.zaobao.comspecial/us/pages1/nmd151201b.html. Accessed on February 12, 2008.
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© 2008 Christopher P. Twomey
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Qingguo, J. (2008). China’S Nuclear Weapon Policy. In: Twomey, C.P. (eds) Perspectives on Sino-American Strategic Nuclear Issues. Initiatives in Strategic Studies: Issues and Policies. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230613164_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230613164_6
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