For decades, China had a minimal nuclear force. Now it is rapidly transforming into a nuclear superpower. Under Xi Jinping, Beijing is driving a surge in warhead numbers and building one of the world’s most advanced missile arsenals. But why? What are these nuclear weapons for – and what kinds of conflict is China preparing for?

In this special production, DW’s Richard Walker investigates, speaking to some of the world’s leading experts on Chinese nuclear strategy and doctrine, the factors shaping its missile program, and how nuclear conflict can break out.

Part 1 examines China’s strategic breakout. Part 2 offers a detailed guide to its missile arsenal. Part 3 dives into its nuclear doctrine. Featuring insights from James Acton, Brian Hart, Sarah Kirchberger, Matthew Kroenig, Manpreet Sethi, Zhao Tong, and Zhou Bo.

For more on China’s intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) silos, also see DW’s “Decoding Putin and Xi's blueprint for a new world order” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4-ZC_fd19Y

Chapters:

00:00 Why is Xi building up nuclear weapons?

04:54 Part 1: Breakout

06:27 “Make enemies worry”

08:22 “Vast and multifaceted”

09:07 Putin’s inspiration

10:47 “Check-mated”

12:02 The silos

14:26 China’s hints

15:56 Preparing for conflict

16:59 Part 2: The Arsenal

17:22 China’s triad

18:14 Submarine troubles

22:16 MIRV technology

23:43 China’s biggest missile

25:33 “Guam Killer”

27:08 Hypersonic missiles

28:22 “Across the board”

29:24 Part 3: Doctrine

30:18 Nuclear threats

31:57 Taiwan

32:58 No First Use

35:50 Questions mount

37:12 Launch Under Attack

38:21 False alarms

40:00 Limited nuclear war

41:57 “Nuclear war is a spectrum”

43:34 World-changing ambition

#dwgeopolitics #china #xijinping #nuclear

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