4 Shocking Facts about China’s Nuclear, Fastest Developing in the World

BEIJING – There are a number of facts related to China’s nuclear development that are interesting to know. Currently, the Bamboo Curtain country is estimated to have at least 500 warheads.

China is one of the countries with the strongest military capabilities in the world. They are also one of the few countries known to possess nuclear weapons.

Over the past few years, China is said to have expanded its nuclear modernization program. They are able to make more types and quantities of weapons than other countries.

Most recently, an international research group even called Beijing’s nuclear weapons expansion the fastest in the world. Furthermore, here are a number of facts about China’s nuclear developments that you can know.

China Nuclear Facts

1. First Launched in 1964

China’s development of nuclear weapons has actually been going on for quite a long time. Beijing is said to have started developing it in the late 1950s with the help of the Soviet Union.

Some time after its first development, China launched its first nuclear test on October 16 1964. However, in its possession, Beijing considered this weapon only as a minimum deterrent if it was later attacked by another country with nuclear weapons.

Quoting the Nuclear Threat Initiative page, Wednesday (19/6/2024), China has always relied on foreign advice or input from the start of its nuclear program development. However, over time they can become independent and remain productive.

2. Number of Chinese Nuclear Warheads

Currently, only a few countries are known to possess nuclear weapons. Interestingly, China is one of them.

According to Statista data, China is recorded as having 500 nuclear warheads as of January 2024. This figure may still be far behind other countries such as the United States and Russia.

However, it turns out that China’s nuclear development is very fast. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) research group said that Beijing’s nuclear weapons expansion was the fastest in the world.

In January 2023, the number will reach 410 warheads. Meanwhile, for January 2024 it has reached 500.

3. Number 3 Most in the World

As mentioned above, China already has 500 nuclear warheads. This figure places it as the country with the 3rd largest number of nuclear warheads.

Beijing is only behind the United States and Russia, which already have thousands of warheads. However, China’s figures above are expected to continue to increase as it develops.

Read Also: Facing Russia and China, NATO Will Deploy Many Nuclear Weapons

4. Used On Many Different Weapons

During its development, China expanded its nuclear arsenal faster than other countries. Modernization continues to take place significantly.

Quoting the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, China also places its nuclear warheads in a number of different weapons. For example, land-based ballistic missiles, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), medium-range ballistic missiles, and others.

These are some facts about China’s nuclear program that you can know.

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