The Chinese have declined to sign the treaty, claiming that their nuclear stockpile is too small for them to participate in the deal. This response follows reports that a senior Chinese official said China would be open to an agreement if the U.S. reduces its stockpile to the same levels as China.
The Pentagon’s growth projections are based on reports that Beijing has ramped up nuclear material acquisition, effectively accelerating the growth of the Chinese nuclear program. China has made it abundantly known that it intends to surpass the U.S. as the sole hegemonic power in the globe as early as 2049.
Of course, a lot can happen between now and then. For one, China has lost credibility on the world stage following the COVID-19 pandemic, which President Trump has referred to as the China virus, a major PR blow for the communist country.
Also, China has been targeted by Western Europe and the U.S. with sanctions for its actions against Hong Kong and the genocide of the Uighur’s.
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