Any nation that initiates a nuclear war against China would face "annihilation," warned Victor Gao, vice-president of the Center for China and Globalisation think tank. Gao stated in an interview that China possesses sufficient nuclear warheads to destroy any aggressor, emphasizing this as a strategic certainty.
"No country should ever imagine imposing a nuclear war on China because while China will not tell you how many nuclear warheads China has, China will have enough nuclear warheads to annihilate a country which dares to impose a nuclear war on China," Gao said.
He also described the number of nuclear warheads in China's possession as the "biggest strategic ambiguity in our times." According to the Pentagon, China's estimated nuclear warhead count was in the low 600s as of 2024, with projections anticipating an increase to over 1,000 by 2030.
Gao dismissed claims that a recent Chinese submarine-launched missile test served as a warning to Australia and its Pacific neighbors following a defense treaty that could limit Chinese influence in the region. He characterized the launch, which he noted has occurred only twice in over forty years, as "very routine, very normal." He suggested the timing coincided with the anniversary of Japan's 1937 invasion of China.
China has previously stated its nuclear launch capabilities can reach "any corner, in any part of the world" within 20 minutes. Gao asserted that countries should not be surprised by such tests and that no nation should obstruct them. He expressed hope that countries, including Australia, would be content with China's declared policy of not using nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states.
Gao further cautioned Australia against pursuing nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS defense pact, warning of unknown consequences. This statement followed reports that Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles suggested the missile test was a "message" about China's nuclear capabilities.
Chinese state media reported that a nuclear submarine fired the missile on Monday, and it landed within designated waters. Marles indicated that the test signifies China's expanding range for deploying nuclear capabilities, a development he described as "obviously very concerning."