Atomic Dragon: Chinese Nuclear Weapon Development and the Risk of Nuclear War

Abstract

As China’s economy, military, and regional power continue to grow, so do tensions between it and the United States. Long characterized as peaceful, China’s ascension to a world power has been accompanied by a marked increase in sophistication of its nuclear arsenal and strategy. China is currently developing stronger nuclear deterrents, and there have been calls from the Chinese military to shift its nuclear policy from a more passive strategy to a higher level of alertness, worrying US military planners. This research will delve into the background of China’s nuclear program, details of China’s current nuclear development, and the risk to global security that these developments present.