Fears of open clash between the two countries have indeed taken off after the manager of the Chinese state-run paper the Global Times said his nation should arrive at the amount of atomic warheads “that makes US elites shudder.” Hu Xijin said something regarding China’s position towards the United States in a commentary piece for the media source.
He wrote, “We must be prepared for an intense showdown between China and the US.
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“The number of China’s nuclear warheads must reach the quantity that makes US elites shiver should they entertain the idea of engaging in a military confrontation with China.”
He also voiced his support for “rapidly” building up the number of commissioned nuclear warheads, an intercontinental ballistic missile, DF-41s and strategic missiles that have “long-range” capacity.
It follows Mr Biden’s approval of extra weapons being shipped to Australia in preparation for a potential clash.
Chinese hostility in the South China Sea has led to cooperation between the US and Australia’s militaries.
Karen Andrews, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, stressed that the move was a “message” but that the two nations were not “alarmed”.
She said: “It’s sending a very strong message that we are alert, we are not alarmed.
“But we are doing all that we can to be prepared.”