China Increases Nuclear Strategic Assets to Deter Arrogant United States

State-run Global Times Mentions Potential US-China Clash in South China Sea
Power to Maintain Peace Lies in More Nuclear Weapons... China Navy Publicizes Live-Fire Drill Schedule in South China Sea

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] As US-China tensions escalate to the extreme, there are calls for China to further expand its nuclear strategic assets.

Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Chinese state-run Global Times, stated on his Weibo (Chinese Twitter) on the 27th that Sino-US relations are deteriorating and that one should not expect an improvement in Sino-US relations. Hu, a former military officer, is known as a source within the Chinese military and is considered an influential figure in Chinese media.

He emphasized, "The best card to suppress America's arrogant attitude is to possess stronger nuclear weapons."

He reiterated, "A conflict between China and the US in the South China Sea cannot be ruled out," and "Nuclear weapons will support China's resolve regarding the South China Sea."

He continued, "Strong nuclear weapons and other military power are the force to sustain and maintain peace," and raised his voice, saying, "To awaken the political madmen in the US, more nuclear strategic assets are needed and must be increased." He also left a post hinting at changes in China's nuclear weapons. On the night of Sunday, July 26, he conveyed that China's nuclear weapons silently participated in response to the US's adventurous attitude.

Hu's remarks appear to be related to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy's live-fire training exercises.

Chinese media such as the Global Times disclosed that the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy is conducting large-scale live-fire exercises on the Leizhou Peninsula in Guangdong Province until August 2. The Chinese Navy is reportedly conducting live-fire exercises in the southeast direction, where the South China Sea is located. It is very unusual for the Chinese military to announce training schedules in advance. This is interpreted as effectively notifying the US that live-fire exercises will be conducted in the South China Sea.

Chinese media urged, "This live-fire exercise covers a wide range and has very strong power," and requested that fishing and other activities be suspended during the period.

Hu seemed aware of international concerns about China's nuclear weapons expansion, adding, "China's national security is at risk due to the US's unilateral actions," and "The international community will understand the situation China is facing."

The Global Times also published a separate article on the same day stating that Chinese companies trading with the US should prepare for the worst-case scenario. The newspaper described the US's policy toward China, including the closure of the Chinese Consulate General in Houston, as sudden and unilateral.

It also explained that the background of such US policy toward China is related to the upcoming US presidential election scheduled in three months.

The newspaper warned Chinese companies, "The US Donald Trump administration is likely to use stronger pressure tactics on China to gain more votes," and "Worse things have not yet happened."

It added that the resurgence of COVID-19 in the US is also bad news for Chinese companies. Without effective control of COVID-19, the US economic recovery is unlikely. The sharp increase in US unemployment benefit claims, reaching 1.4 million as of the third week of July, is a clear example.

The Global Times expressed concern that further deterioration of Sino-US relations will inevitably spread to trade and other economic sectors, and that Sino-US relations will face greater challenges ahead. It urged Chinese companies to prepare for the worst-case scenario as they could become targets of the US administration in this process.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.