How China’s rare missile test sparked hysterical hypocrisy
Western pundits were quick to denounce Beijing. But far more frequent US launches rate barely a mention
A Chinese nuclear-powered submarine fired a test missile into international waters in the South Pacific. Major countries in the areas were given advance notice. Even Japan, situated closer to the north Pacific, was warned beforehand. And the United States, located on the other side of the globe? Yes, of course it was given notice as well.
Still, all hell broke loose, as pundits and politicians rushed to denounce the Chinese missile test carrying a dummy warhead. Considering what they themselves do, it’s almost funny, making you wonder whether these people are being theatrical or serious?
The US House Select Committee on China called it an act of “aggression” towards US allies and other “like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific”.
“China’s long-range ballistic missile launch wasn’t just a routine drill,” it said in a public statement. “As China races to have 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030, we must have a defence industrial base that supports deterrence against China and helps our allies and partners defend themselves.”
It’s not clear how the committee came up with the warhead figure and timeline. Currently, the US possesses more than 5,000 nuclear warheads with 1,770 actively deployed, while China has about 620 with 34 deployed. Beijing has voluntarily committed to a “no first use” of nuclear weapons while the US has consistently refused.
The US State Department complains that the United States was only given a few hours’ notice ahead of the missile test, far short of “standard practice”. It did not specify what that mythical standard practice is.