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Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe told delegates at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday that China has made progress in developing a nuclear arsenal, but will only use the new weapons for self-defense measures.
When asked about last year’s reports on the construction of more than 100 new nuclear missile silos in eastern China, he said the country “has always followed a proper path to develop nuclear capabilities to protect our country “.
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Chinese Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe speaks at a plenary session during the 19th Shangri-la Dialogue at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Asia’s annual defense and security forum. Singapore, Sunday, June 12, 2022. (AP Photo / Danial Hakim))
The minister said the nuclear weapons shown at a 2019 military parade in Beijing were operational and deployed. These weapons included enhanced launchers for DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles from China.
“China has been developing its capabilities for more than five decades. It is fair to say that there has been impressive progress,” he said. “China’s policy … is consistent. We use it for self-defense. We will not be the first to use nuclear [weapons]. “
He said China’s ultimate goal for its nuclear capabilities was to prevent nuclear war.
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Chinese Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe speaks at a plenary session during the 19th Shangri-la Dialogue at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Asia’s annual defense and security forum. Singapore, Sunday, June 12, 2022. (AP Photo / Danial Hakim))
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“We have developed nuclear capabilities to protect the hard work of the Chinese people and protect our people from the scourge of nuclear war,” he said.
Last year, the U.S. State Department said China’s nuclear development was worrisome and that the Asian country appeared to be deviating from decades of minimal deterrent nuclear strategy.
The State Department urged China to engage with it “in practical measures to reduce the risks of destabilizing arms races.”
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Reuters contributed to this report.