China is developing its nuclear forces to threaten the United States and shield its authoritarian ambitions, according to the Biden administration’s newly published National Defense Strategy. The strategy highlights China’s communist regime as “the most comprehensive and serious challenge to U.S. national security” and directs political and military leaders to “act urgently to sustain and strengthen U.S. deterrence” against the regime. Of particular note is the document’s advisory that China is developing new nuclear weapons in order to threaten the United States, possibly by preparing for a nuclear first strike, reports The Epoch Times. “The PRC (People’s Republic of China) is increasing its capability to threaten the United States and our allies and partners with nuclear weapons,” the strategy said. “The PRC has embarked on an ambitious expansion, modernization, and diversification of its nuclear forces and established a nascent nuclear triad,” the strategy said. “The PRC likely intends to possess at least 1,000 deliverable warheads by the end of the decade.”
