China's Defence Minister says China has made 'impressive progress' in developing new nuclear weapons but will only use them for self-defence, and never use them first.
China has made "impressive progress" in developing new nuclear weapons but will only use them for self-defence, and never use them first, Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe told delegates at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Mr Wei said talks went "smoothly". A Chinese defence ministry spokesman later said Mr Wei reiterated Beijing's firm stance on Taiwan, which is that it is part of China.On Sunday, in response to a question about reports last year on the construction of more than 100 new nuclear missile silos in China's east, Mr Wei said China "has always pursued an appropriate path to developing nuclear capabilities for protection of our country".
He added that nuclear weapons displayed in a 2019 military parade in Beijing — including upgraded launchers for China's DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles — were operational and deployed.