China may not undertake massive expansion of its nuclear arsenal due to advancement of its conventional weapons, experts have said even as the Chinese defence ministry stated it has kept its atomic capabilities at a minimum level required for its self-defence.
China now possesses an estimated 260 warheads this year against 250 last year, according to report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Reacting to the report, Chinese defence ministry pointed to a recently released white paper which stated that China firmly pursues a nuclear strategy solely for self-defence and adheres to a policy that rejects pre-emptive nuclear strikes under all circumstances, China has always adhered to such a stance, the ministry told state-run Global Times.
The paper also said China will work to develop its nuclear weapon systems and to enhance its capabilities to deter other countries from using or threatening to use nuclear weapons.
"Both the quality and quantity of China's nuclear arsenal is inadequate, which is incompatible with our national strength and security needs, especially when the nation is under strategic pressure in the international political sphere," a Xi'an-based analyst affiliated with the military told the state-run Global Times, requesting anonymity.
However, China will not undertake a massive expansion of its nuclear arsenal partly due to the advancement of its conventional weapons as well as international anti-nuclear advocacy, the expert said.
"The modest increase is so far not in conflict with our nuclear strategy. We can strengthen the survivability of our nuclear weapons through modernisation or increase the number of intercontinental missiles without expanding the scale of the whole nuclear arsenal," Wu Riqiang, an associate professor at Renmin University told the daily.
