China’s nuclear expansion is accelerating, as new satellite imagery reveals fresh missile infrastructure across the western provinces of Xinjiang and Gansu. For decades, Beijing maintained a relatively small nuclear arsenal under its longstanding “no first use” policy. But today, China is building new silos, modernizing its missile forces and rapidly closing the gap with the world’s leading nuclear powers. It is also building them in a configuration that raises questions about China’s continued commitment to a “no first use” policy. At the same time, communication channels between Washington and Beijing remain fragile, raising concerns about miscalculation. Could a conflict over Taiwan escalate beyond conventional warfare? In this episode, we examine China’s growing nuclear capabilities, the risks of a new arms race and what it means for Taiwan Strait. *Recorded on June 4, 2026 at 2:45pm Taiwan Standard Time Host: Wen-Ti Sung Planners: Betty Wang, Miguel Yang Our guests: Tony Hu Former US Department of Defense Senior Director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia Bryce Barros Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) Visiting Fellow GLOBSEC GeoTech Center Associate Fellow Chapters: 00:00:00 – China Builds Nuclear Arsenal 00:01:56 – Deterrence or Coercion? 00:17:50 – China Uses Talks as Bargaining Chip 00:23:00 – Risk of Miscalculation and War? #ChinaNuclearArsenal #IndoPacificSecurity #NuclearProliferation #MilitaryExpansion #DeterrenceStrategy #SecondStrikeCapability #NuclearSilos #ICBM #MissileSilo #MilitaryStrategy #NationalSecurity #GlobalSecurity #NuclearArmsRace #NuclearBlackmail #ColdWarLessons #ArmsControl #NuclearNonProliferation #Transparency #MilitaryCommunication #CrisisManagement #MiscalculationRisk #NuclearWar #StrategicTriad #SolidFuelMissiles #PLA #RocketForce #USChinaRelations #TaiwanStrait #DefensePolicy #Pentagon #CrossStraitRelations #RegionalStability #NuclearDeterrence #CommandAndControl #AccidentalLaunch #MilitaryReadiness #GeopoliticalRisk #GrayZoneTactics #NuclearThreat #DefenseStrategy #HotlineDiplomacy #BargainingChip #WarGaming #EscalationDynamics #NuclearFallout #StrategicPosture #InternationalRelations #SecurityStudies #AsiaPacific #ForeignPolicy #StrategicStability #NuclearSecurity #MilitaryAnalysis #TaiwanPlus #TaiwanTalks
Source: China’s Massive Nuclear Buildup: Is Beijing Going for Deterrence or Coercion? | Taiwan Talks EP851
