🚀 What’s Reported
- Pentagon Assessment:
- China has positioned over 100 DF-31 and DF-41 ICBMs in three silo fields near Mongolia.
- These missiles have ranges of up to 11,000 km, capable of reaching the US mainland.
- China’s nuclear arsenal is estimated at ~600 warheads in 2024, projected to exceed 1,000 by 2030.
- China’s Response:
- The Foreign Ministry rejected the report, saying it was “unaware” of such deployments.
- Beijing accused Washington of hyping threats to justify its own nuclear modernization.
- China reiterated its “No First Use” nuclear policy, claiming its posture is defensive.
⚖️ Strategic Implications
| Potential Impact | Details |
|---|---|
| Regional Security | Deployment near Mongolia places missiles closer to Russia and Central Asia, raising concerns about balance of power. |
| US-China Tensions | Adds pressure to already strained relations over Taiwan, South China Sea, and arms control. |
| Arms Race Risk | Pentagon warns China is expanding its arsenal at an unprecedented pace, while refusing arms control talks. |
| Global Stability | China’s denial highlights the difficulty of verifying nuclear deployments, fueling mistrust in international security dialogues. |
🔎 Key Takeaways
- If true, the deployment marks a major escalation in China’s nuclear capabilities, signaling readiness for rapid launch and survivability.
- If exaggerated, it reflects the ongoing information war between Washington and Beijing, where each side frames the other as destabilizing.
- Either way, the issue underscores the urgent need for renewed arms control talks, which China has so far resisted.
📌 References
- Al Jazeera. (2025, Dec 23). China’s deadly surprise: 100+ DF-31 missiles deployed near Mongolia. Zee News Report
- UPI. (2025, Dec 23). China denies report of 100 ICBMs in border silos, urges U.S. cuts. UPI Report
- WION. (2025, Dec 23). China loads, locks 100 ICBMs near Mongolia for nuclear war over Taiwan. WION Video Report
- Fox News. (2025, Dec 22). China quietly loads 100 ICBMs into new missile silos near Mongolia. Fox News Report
- Reuters. (2025, Dec 22). Exclusive: China likely loaded more than 100 ICBMs in silo fields, Pentagon report says. Reuters Report
