Analysts seize on Xi’s mention of strong ‘strategic deterrence’ as sign of China’s nuclear build-up

In opening of 20th party congress, Chinese president calls for boost to ‘new-domain forces with new combat capabilities’

PLA watchers say it is a reference to countering threats from another nuclear power – the United States

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The US has warned of the expansion of China’s nuclear weapons, including in a 2021 Pentagon report that estimated China could have up to 700 deliverable nuclear warheads by 2027 and at least 1,000 by 2030. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:00pm, 18 Oct 2022Updated: 9:31pm, 18 Oct 2022

China is expected to boost its nuclear arsenal after pledges to improve strategic deterrence appeared in its key Communist Party congress report for the first time.

“We will establish a strong system of strategic deterrence,” President Xi Jinping said at the opening of the 20th party congress on Sunday.

In his work report, which lays out the country’s development path for the next five years and beyond, Xi called for an increase in the proportion of “new-domain forces with new combat capabilities”.

He also called for accelerated development of unmanned, intelligent combat capabilities, promotion of coordinated development and application of the network information system.

There was no mention of the concept of strategic deterrence in Xi’s last party congress report in 2017 or in his historical resolution last year, but the country’s 14th five-year plan report released last year emphasised the need to “build a high-standard strategic deterrence”.

Analysts said it indicated China would improve its nuclear deterrence capability amid its rivalry with another nuclear power, the US.