Xi Jinping highlighted an inspection of a rocket forces brigade to highlight readiness. Readiness for what?
Okay:
This focus on the Rocket Force’s deterrence capabilities shows that Xi wants Beijing’s rivals to take China seriously. The key of nuclear weapons is not to launch a surprise attack, but instead to avoid any situation in which they are needed. These arms are all about deterrence, and if you want to deter an opponent they must know you are capable of fighting back, rather than thinking your rockets are filled with water. This is the crux of Xi’s deal with the Rocket Force.
But is that message using China's suddenly expanding nuclear force intended for America?
But China has not felt much of a need for more nukes to deter America (or India) thus far. Suddenly having a lot more nukes is vitally important to China's rulers. Why?
Maybe China wants to deter someone else that sees nukes as its ultimate territorial defense. Which is more pronounced now that most of Russia's shattered army is fighting Ukraine.
Who is China really trying to deter? America which has no territorial claims on China? Or Russia which currently controls huge tracts of Chinese land taken in the 19th century in the largest land grab of the "Century of Humiliation"? Sure, Chinese nukes would be useful to deter America should China conquer Taiwan, which America considers free terrain notwithstanding China's claim to own it. But that's not quite the same, eh?
Not everything is about us.
And China recently reopened that 19th century issue with a seemingly small offer about gaining access to the Tumen River which leads to the Sea of Japan.
I can only wonder if Russia's closer defense ties with North Korea include a joint refusal to refuse that offer. Can they?
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
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