According to Brian Spegele in The Wall Street Journal, China’s rapid increases in firepower are proof of its preparation for a prolonged era of rivalry with the United States. He writes:

Part of China’s confidence stems from the rapid growth of its firepower. The Pentagon estimates that China’s stockpile of nuclear warheads has more than doubled since 2020, alongside a growing array of options to launch those weapons, from mobile ground-launch systems to increasingly stealthy submarines.

China has long declared a policy of “peaceful coexistence” with other countries and says its nuclear arsenal is solely for deterrence, never to be used in a first strike.

Beijing’s rationale for the buildup can sound like Ronald Reagan’s “peace through strength” policy in the Cold War. “For every bit stronger China gets, the hope for world peace grows,” the official Xinhua News Agency wrote in a commentary in late August, borrowing a phrase from Xi.

China’s posture is a fresh indication that it is preparing for a prolonged era of rivalry—if not outright conflict—with the U.S.

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