China to show off advanced nuclear weapons in National Day parade and ‘send message to US about capabilities’
- Military sources say the October 1 event in Beijing is intended to highlight its enhanced deterrent capabilities and show off advances of recent years
- One analyst said the show of strength would be a ‘warning message’ to Washington in light of continuing tensions
China is planning to make its strategic nuclear missiles and advanced fighter jets the centrepiece of its National Day military parade in what military sources and analysts said was an attempt to show off its achievements in overhauling its armed forces over the past few years.
Military analysts said the show of nuclear strength was intended to demonstrate China’s enhanced deterrence and second strike capability, especially to the United States.
“The parade is to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1,” one military insider said.
“So it should let the whole world see China’s achievement of military modernisation under the leadership of President Xi Jinping since he came to power [in 2012].”
The military insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that weapon systems such as DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles and J-2 submarine-launched ballistic missiles have already been moved to Beijing. A squadron of J-20 jets, the country’s first stealth fighter, is also preparing for the event.