NYT: China is increasing its nuclear forces.
China is undergoing a massive buildup of its nuclear forces. This is reported by The New York Times (NYT).
According to the publication, journalists studied satellite images of sites in the Zitong Valley, located in Sichuan Province. The images show that bunkers and fortifications are being constructed there. Additionally, there is evidence of work with hazardous materials on the site. Changes have also occurred at the facility in the Pidu Valley, where plutonium cores for nuclear warheads are manufactured.
The photos reveal that the complex has new ventilation systems and heat dissipation structures. Journalists also spoke with experts. According to them, tests of explosives are taking place in the constructed bunkers. One of the sources told the publication that work at nuclear facilities in China accelerated in 2019.
Physicist Hui Zhang stated that it is unknown how many warheads have been produced, but experts see an expansion of the plant. The second source for the publication is geospatial intelligence expert Rennie Babiarz. He noted that all these changes align with China's goal of becoming a global superpower.
