Rethink China's nuke weapons strategy

source the-diplomat.com

2011-11-07 (China Military News cited from Global Times)

Having no idea that China does have nuclear weapons, Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain suffered his latest mark on his foreign policy credentials this week. The GOP hopeful defended himself by dwarfing greatly China's nuclear capacity when compared to that of the US.

The US media might be surprised by Cain's ignorant remarks, but it is the Chinese people who will feel more astonished. Though Cain has successfully worked as the CEO of a big company, a radio host and columnist in the past, his ignorance of China's nuclear capacity is not alone among the US elites in respect of China.

In an era when more US politicians will join in the chorus of drafting policies related to China, their voices will become louder than ever. But Cain has taught us a good lesson: US politicians advocating to punish China have wantonly distorted the image of China in their mind. They have no idea what real China looks like.

Another facet surprises China: We have taken for granted China has enough nuclear stockpiles to play a strategic deterrent role. The attitude among US society as well as its politicians will influence US authorities in the drafting China-related policies.

Cain did not realize what a gaffe he has made, indicating China's nuclear capacity hardly leaves any impression among US society. That's very dangerous. The blurry image of China among the US public may mislead their decision-makers once bilateral conflicts escalated.

Aside from that, necessary action should be taken by the Chinese side in upgrading and expanding its nuclear stockpiles within the framework of international conventions and without breaking its promises to develop nuclear weapons. The strategic role played by nuclear weapons cannot be replaced by other armaments. Nuclear capacity serves the cornerstone of China's national security.

It turned out to be a shallow concept that China's nuclear deterrents have nothing to do with the quality and quantity of warheads. Two US researchers wrote in Foreign Affairs magazine in 2006, claiming the US is capable of destroying China's stockpiles or Russia's once and for all. Such an opinion, though questionable, has made worse instead of improved the neglect of China's nuclear capacity. As a result, the capacity of China's nuclear stockpile should be strong enough to dismiss the ignorance of Cain as well to stop the US people from resorting to military solutions when facing competition from China.

China's enhancement of its nuclear weapons does not mean it will alter its strategy from defense to offense. For China, there isn't necessity to do that. But we have to keep a detersive power for peaceful purposes, which demands rational and compulsory self-adjustment.