The formation of Dongfeng-41 nuclear missiles takes part in a military parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)

Chinese experts on Monday refuted foreign speculations and accusations on China’s nuclear arsenal modernization program. They emphasized that China having a credible nuclear force contributes to global peace and stability amidst global tensions and pressure from the United States.
On Monday, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its 2023 yearbook, estimating that China had built 60 additional nuclear warheads in the past year. 

According to SIPRI's estimates, China's nuclear arsenal size increased from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 in January 2023. The think tank expects this number to continue growing.

SIPRI suggested that by the turn of the decade, China could potentially have at least as many intercontinental ballistic missiles as either the United States or Russia.

In response, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated in a regular press conference on Monday that China adheres to a defensive nuclear strategy. They maintain their nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security and do not target any specific country.  

“We have honored our pledge to ‘no first use’ of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances and unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones. China is the only nuclear weapon state to have adopted such a policy. China will stay committed to safeguarding its legitimate security interests and upholding world peace and stability,” Wang said.

China has never publicly disclosed its nuclear warhead stockpile, and Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, questioned SIPRI's estimation.

"The figure estimated by SIPRI lacks concrete evidence," Song told the Global Times on Monday.

SIPRI's press release also quoted an analyst who claimed that "it is increasingly difficult to reconcile this trend with China's declared aim of having only the minimum nuclear forces necessary to maintain its national security."

Song dismissed this accusation as obviously incorrect. 

A senior Chinese diplomat said in January 2022 that China has no plan to drastically expand its nuclear arsenal, but the country will continue to modernize it in response to the changing security environment.

Observers noted that as China's comprehensive national strength develops, there is a need to modernize its nuclear arsenal to serve as a credible deterrent and protect the achievements of its development, particularly considering the comprehensive and strategic containment efforts by the United States, which include military measures.

In comparison, experts pointed out that the United States and Russia possess over 5,000 nuclear warheads each, significantly more than China.

The aim of China's nuclear arsenal modernization is to safeguard national security, deter hegemony, and the country has no intention of participating in a nuclear arms race with the United States and Russia, according to Song.