The article notes that the increase in investments in nuclear armament brings China closer to a position of parity with Russia and the United States, as well as opens up new technical capabilities that both leading nuclear powers currently do not possess.
Sources claim that in June 2020, China conducted a secret nuclear test, thereby violating the moratorium on such actions that has been in place since 1996, and plans to carry out several more such experiments in the future.
U.S. intelligence agencies believe that Beijing aims to create "next-generation nuclear weapons," including missiles with multiple miniaturized nuclear warheads.
According to CNN, China is also likely developing low-yield tactical nuclear weapons for the first time, which could be used against targets closer to its borders. This could be relevant, for example, in situations where Beijing is responding to potential U.S. defense of Taiwan.
Earlier, U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance stated Washington's intention to cooperate with Russia, China, and other countries to reduce the global nuclear arsenal. He emphasized that the U.S. is ready to engage with competitors for this purpose.
