This week on Sinica, in a show taped in early June in Washington, Kaiser chats with Tong Zhao (赵通) of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a leading expert on Chinese nuclear doctrine, about why the PRC has, in recent years, significantly increased the size of its nuclear arsenal. Zhao offers a master class in the practice of strategic empathy.

03:12 – China’s nuclear doctrine: core principles

06:56 – Xi Jinping’s leadership and nuclear policy

12:33 – Symbolism vs. strategy: Defensive or offensive buildup?

16:55 – What’s driving the nuclear expansion?

28:33 – Trump’s second term: Impact on China’s strategic thinking

34:34 – Nukes and Taiwan

41:45 – Washington and Beijing nuclear doctrines perceptions

48:04 - China’s perspective on the Golden Dome program

52:32 - China’s Stance on North Korea’s nuclear program

01:01:00 - Beijing’s View on North Korean troops in Ukraine

Paying it forward: David Logan, at Tufts University

Recommendations:

Tong: Yellowstone, TV series

Kaiser: Gomorrah, TV series

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