The United States has expressed "concern" over a report published by the Washington Post on Thursday, stating that China has begun constructing more than 110 launch silos for intercontinental ballistic missiles. U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price noted that "this information, along with other developments, suggests that China's nuclear arsenal will grow faster and to a higher level than previously expected."
On Thursday, the Washington Post reported that China is building 119 intercontinental ballistic missile silos in the desert north of the city of Yumen in Gansu province. The American daily stated that its report is based on research conducted by experts at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, California, relying on images taken by commercial satellites.
The Washington Post explained that these images show 119 "nearly identical construction sites" spread over an area of hundreds of square kilometers and exhibit characteristics similar to those seen at launch sites containing China's arsenal of ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
In response to this report, Price stated during a press conference at the State Department, "This is concerning. It raises questions about the intentions of the People's Republic of China. For us, it underscores the importance of maintaining concrete measures to reduce nuclear risks." He added, "Despite China's attempts to cover it up, this rapid accumulation has become more difficult to conceal."
The U.S. spokesperson emphasized that this information "highlights the fact that China appears to be moving away from a nuclear strategy that has been in place for decades, based on minimal deterrence." During the press conference, Price was asked about the speech given by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the centenary celebration of the Communist Party of China, which included strong nationalistic undertones.
In his speech, Xi warned that "the Chinese people will never allow any external forces to bully, oppress, or enslave them, and those who dare to do so will shatter against the great steel wall built by 1.4 billion Chinese." In response to a question about the implications of this speech, the U.S. diplomatic spokesperson stated that the Biden administration has "taken note" of these remarks but will "not comment on the particulars." He added that "this administration has been very clear for many months regarding our impressions of the Communist Party of China in general."
