China's Strategic Arsenal: Worldview, Doctrine, and Systems

Front Cover
James M. Smith, Paul J. Bolt
Georgetown University Press, Apr 1, 2021 - Political Science - 280 pages

A critical look at how China’s growing strategic arsenal could impact a rapidly changing world order

China’s strategic capabilities and doctrine have historically differed from the United States’ and Russia’s. China has continued to modernize and expand its arsenal despite its policy of no first use, while the United States and Russia have decreased deployed weapons stocks.

This volume brings together an international group of distinguished scholars to provide a fresh assessment of China's strategic military capabilities, doctrines, and political perceptions in light of rapidly advancing technologies, an expanding and modernizing nuclear arsenal, and an increased great-power competition with the United States.

Analyzing China's strategic arsenal is critical for a deeper understanding of China’s relations with both its neighbors and the world. Without a doubt, China’s arsenal is growing in size and sophistication, but key uncertainties also lie ahead. Will China’s new capabilities and confidence lead it to be more assertive and take more risks? Will China’s nuclear traditions change as the strategic balance improves? Will China’s approach to military competition be guided by a notion of strategic stability or not? Will there be a strategic arms race with the United States? China's Strategic Arsenal provides a current understanding of these issues as we strive for a stable strategic future with China.

 

Contents

Introduction
1
1 The USChinese Relationship and China as a TwentyFirstCentury Strategic Power
7
2 Chinas Nested Worldview
23
3 Chinas Nuclear Doctrine and Deterrence Concept
45
4 Strategic Stability and the Impact of Chinas Modernizing Strategic Strike Forces
63
5 Chinas Strategic Systems and Programs
93
6 Chinas Regional Nuclear Capability Nonnuclear Strategic Systems and Integration of Concepts and Operations
125
7 Organization of Chinas Strategic Forces
159
8 China on Arms Control Nonproliferation and Strategic Stability
195
9 Chinas Strategic Future
241
List of Contributors
255
Index
259
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About the author (2021)

Paul J. Bolt is a professor and the head of the Department of Political Science at the US Air Force Academy. He has published on Chinese foreign relations and defense issues, and coauthored China, Russia, and Twenty-First Century Global Geopolitics.

James M. Smith is the director of the US Air Force Institute for National Security Studies at the US Air Force Academy, where he serves as a professor of strategic studies. He has published on strategic issues, terrorism, and military leader development.

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