From Chinese Press

China military paper spells out nuclear arms stance

( Agencies)
Updated: 2010-04-23 09:58

China must have a limited nuclear "second strike" force to deter foes from threatening it with atomic weapons, the nation's main military newspaper said on Thursday, in a rare account of Beijing's nuclear strategy.

The commentary in the official Liberation Army Daily comes during intensifying atomic diplomacy -- after a nuclear security summit hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and before an international conference in May about the future of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

China has been gradually modernizing its relatively small nuclear arsenal and some critics of proposals to cut dramatically Western nuclear forces have said uncertainty about Beijing's plans should deter such proposals.

Retired People's Liberation Army Major General Xu Guangyu said in the newspaper commentary that China wanted a minimal nuclear deterrent and would avoid any arms race.

"China resolutely adheres to a defensive nuclear strategy, and has always adhered to a policy that it will never be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances," wrote Xu, now a researcher in the state-run China Arms Control and Disarmament Association.

"The most basic feature of China's nuclear strategy, in a nutshell, is to be a deterrent but present no threat."

The commentary does not suggest China is rethinking its nuclear doctrine, but spells out in uncommonly sharp terms Beijing's rationale for upgrading its atomic forces.

In a telephone interview, Xu told Reuters the commentary was intended to address worries about China's nuclear stance, especially in Japan, India and the United States.

"International experience shows the most effective second-strike capability is submarines," Xu told Reuters. "That and the upgraded missiles are a focus."