China now has the nuclear strength to hit back at a first strike, former PLA colonel says

The military has built an ‘underground Great Wall’ of tunnels to hide and move its arsenal of ballistic missiles, Wang Xiangsui tells Moganshan forum

The defences add up to a credible ability to mount a second strike, resulting in a deterrent effect, he says

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China’s JL-3 is estimated have a range of over 12,000km, putting the US well within reach from the Chinese coast. Photo: Handout

Published: 12:00pm, 17 Nov 2020Updated: 2:53pm, 17 Nov 2020

China has spent the last two decades building defences for its nuclear armoury on land and at sea, ensuring that the military can hit back at a nuclear attack and deter others from launching one, according a former Chinese senior colonel.

Wang Xiangsui, now a professor at Beihang University in Beijing, said these defences – which included a vast network of tunnels to transport and protect missiles – meant China’s security was guaranteed even in the worst scenario.

“Launching nuclear strikes on China has always been a military option for the US,” Wang told a closed-door meeting last month.

“But for this option they are facing increasing uncertainties due to our adjustment and changes in the past 20 years.”

He delivered the assessment at the four-day Moganshan forum to discuss domestic and international issues and China’s new five-year plan, but the transcript of his remarks was only made public on Wednesday.

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