PLA adopts nuclear deterrence to stop foreign intervention on Taiwan: analysts

Observers say Beijing is warning the US and Japan to stay out of a potential clash over the island, but it will exercise caution to avoid full-blown conflict

Russia has used the strategy to discourage American and Nato involvement in the war in Ukraine, according to retired Chinese colonel

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The rocket force under the PLA Eastern Theatre Command conducts conventional missile tests into waters off the eastern coast of Taiwan from an undisclosed location on August 4. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Published: 2:00pm, 21 Aug 2022

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has adopted nuclear deterrence to try to stop the United States and Japan from directly intervening in a possible clash over Taiwan, but would exercise caution to avoid full-blown conflict, according to analysts.

Days before Beijing kicked off unprecedented war games near Taiwan in the wake of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Taipei tour earlier this month, video footage of two vehicles carrying the two-stage liquid-fuel Dongfeng 5B intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) circulated on mainland social media platforms Weibo and WeChat.

Videos showed other Dongfeng nuclear-capable missiles – including the road-mobile DF-27, DF-16 and DF-15B – moving through city streets.

All Dongfeng-series missiles are capable of delivering nuclear warheads, while the DF-5B ICBM has a range of up to 15,000km (9,321 miles), enabling it to hit North America.

“It is aimed at warning the US and its close ally Japan not to intervene in the Taiwan issue, reminding them Beijing has the most powerful weapon that could give [them] a deadly strike,” said Yue Gang, a retired PLA colonel.

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PLA adopts nuclear deterrence to stop foreign intervention on Taiwan: analysts

Observers say Beijing is warning the US and Japan to stay out of a potential clash over the island, but it will exercise caution to avoid full-blown conflict Russia has used the strategy to discourage American and Nato involvement in the war in Ukraine, according to retired Chinese colonel

Observers say Beijing is warning the US and Japan to stay out of a potential clash over the island, but it will exercise caution to avoid full-blown conflict

Russia has used the strategy to discourage American and Nato involvement in the war in Ukraine, according to retired Chinese colonel