Beijing stated that it "keeps its nuclear forces at the minimum level necessary for national security."
China has likely deployed more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles in new silo fields, significantly enhancing its nuclear capabilities. This is stated in a draft report from the Pentagon, which was reviewed by Reuters.
The document emphasizes that Beijing shows no willingness to engage in arms control negotiations despite U.S. initiatives.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, China is expanding and modernizing its arsenals faster than any other nuclear power. These findings echo data from the "Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists," which also records unprecedented rates of nuclear expansion in China. At the same time, Beijing has labeled such reports as attempts to "slander and discredit China and deliberately mislead the international community."
The report notes that China has likely loaded more than 100 solid-fueled ICBMs DF-31 into silo complexes near the border with Mongolia. The Pentagon had previously reported the existence of these fields but without specifying the number of missiles. The Pentagon declined to comment.
Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's statements about potential cooperation with China and Russia on denuclearization, the document notes that Beijing is not interested in such a format.
"We continue to see a lack of willingness on Beijing's part to take such measures or engage in more comprehensive arms control negotiations," the report states.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington, commenting on the Pentagon's data, stated that the country "maintains a defensive nuclear strategy, keeps its nuclear forces at the minimum level necessary for national security, and adheres to its commitments to a moratorium on nuclear testing." China also insists that it follows a policy of "no first use of nuclear weapons."
According to the Pentagon, in 2024, China had about 600 nuclear warheads, reflecting "slower production rates compared to previous years." At the same time, the report forecasts that by 2030, their number will exceed 1,000 units.
A separate section of the document is dedicated to Taiwan. It states that "China expects to be able to wage war against Taiwan and win it by the end of 2027." Beijing, which considers the democratically governed island its territory, has never renounced the use of force for "reunification." Possible scenarios include strikes at distances of 1,500-2,000 nautical miles, which "could seriously challenge and disrupt U.S. presence in the conflict in the Asia-Pacific region."
The report emerged on the eve of the expiration of the New START treaty - the last agreement between the U.S. and Russia on limiting strategic nuclear weapons. Many experts warn that its termination could provoke a new arms race involving three states.
"More nuclear weapons and a lack of diplomacy will make no one safer - neither China, nor Russia, nor the United States," said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association.
