China's Nuclear Buildup Dynamics

China's recent nuclear buildup marks a significant shift from its historical minimum deterrence posture to a more aggressive and refined nuclear strategy. Previously, China maintained a small arsenal with relatively less advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), but now it is constructing numerous new missile silos equipped with more accurate and longer-range capabilities. This evolution allows China to hold the continental United States at risk and employ precision strikes against military objectives, facilitating a broader military strategy in the Western Pacific without provoking an immediate American response. Such developments signal that China is not only focused on retaliating against potential strikes but is also seeking to assert its influence militarily in the region, thus reshaping the dynamics of power in the Pacific.