China Slams U.S. Defense Report as ‘Deceptive’ and ‘Hypocritical’ Over Nuclear Claims

The Chinese Ministry of Defense lambasted a recent U.S. Department of Defense report as deceptive and hypocritical. The report outlined China’s military capabilities, including its nuclear arsenal.

Global Times reported on Sunday that Zhang Xiaogang, the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Defense, issued a rebuttal to the “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2024” released by the Pentagon on November 18.

The Pentagon’s report projected that China would amass over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030 and continue expanding its nuclear forces at least until 2035. It also suggested that China’s actual defense spending might exceed its official budget by 40% to 90%, estimating total defense expenditures for 2024 between $330 billion and $450 billion.

The U.S. Department of Defense publishes an annual assessment of Chinese military power. Last year’s report estimated that China had over 500 nuclear warheads as of May 2023.

Zhang vehemently rejected the report’s claims, stating that it misrepresents China’s defense policy and speculates about unsubstantiated military developments. He argued that the report slanders the Chinese military and interferes with its internal affairs. Zhang maintained that China’s nuclear policy is the most stable, consistent, and predictable among all nuclear-armed nations.

The spokesperson then turned the tables on the U.S., pointing out that it maintains the world’s largest nuclear arsenal while adhering to a nuclear first-strike policy. Zhang criticized recent substantial U.S. investments in upgrading its nuclear triad, calling on Washington to engage in self-reflection, reduce the role of nuclear weapons in its security policies, and provide transparent explanations to the international community.

Zhang further accused the U.S. of adopting an increasingly confrontational, aggressive, and reckless military strategy. He described the U.S. as “war-addicted” and labeled it the primary disruptor of international order and the greatest threat to global security.

Zhang urged the U.S. to abandon its misguided approach, correct its misconceptions about China, and work towards fostering healthy and stable relations between the two nations and their armed forces.