According to US media, US intelligence agencies have monitored at least three strategic missile tests by China's Second Artillery Corps (SAC) since late July. The three missiles were, according to US speculation, a submarine-launched JL-2 ballistic missile, a DF-41 missile outfitted with multiple, independently-targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), and a DF-5 long-range missile with MIRVs.

The US seems especially interested in the DF-41 missile, which they believe could carry as many as 10 warheads. In August, China announced that the SAC had realized the capability of vehicle-mounted mobile launches for most strategic missiles.

All these pieces of information leave people with the impression that China has a stronger and more credible nuclear deterrence. This is the cornerstone of China's ability to safeguard its national security within a complex international environment.

The Chinese public is engaging in heated discussions over civil society and politics. Nuclear power has almost been forgotten in the realm of public opinion. However, the macro dynamics of international politics will not change based on China's domestic situation. China has to accelerate the renewal and consolidation of its nuclear deterrence capabilities.

One year ago, US Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain seemingly didn't know China already had nuclear capabilities. This at least demonstrated China's weak level of nuclear deterrence in foreign eyes. This is a risky situation, as it may lead to US society pursuing impractical tough policies toward China. In the long run, China should not seek equal nuclear strength with the US, but it should endeavor to build an equal level of nuclear deterrence.

The SAC has made a great leap in lifting China's nuclear strength. China should continue this momentum, so that other players in the Asia-Pacific region gradually adapt to it.

Some believe that developing nuclear weapons is a waste, since the Soviet Union collapsed as a nuclear power. This is without basis. It was not nuclear development that failed the Soviet Union. Today's Russia would have become a large-scale Saudi Arabia if it hadn't had any powerful nuclear forces.

There should be more discussions regarding nuclear strength among the public, and the SAC could appropriately disclose more information to the public. As a latecomer in developing nuclear weapons, China lacks experience in using nuclear strength. While building up nuclear hardware, China should also keep exploring how to integrate nuclear strength with its national goals.