China is the only nation that is expanding its nuclear arsenal and this build-up poses a threat to the stability of the region, according to US Indo-Pacific Commander, Admiral John Aquilino.

Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of Super Garuda Shield Exercise in Indonesia, he disclosed that China had “300 nuclear silos going in”.

Admiral John Aquilino warned that China’s growing nuclear arsenal threatens the Indo-Pacific region’s stability, with Beijing pursuing “the largest military buildup in history” since WW II.

China has opposed Australia, UK, and US (AUKUS) defense pact, which will arm Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, saying the pact poses nuclear proliferation risks.

“If you’d like to talk about nuclear weapons and the concern for a nuclear arms race, all you have to do is look into the PRC (People’s Republic of China),” said Admiral Aquilino.

According to a report released by the US Department of Defense, China’s accelerating pace of its nuclear buildup could enable it to have up to 700 deliverable nuclear warheads by 2027.

The report stated that China could plan to have at least 1,000 warheads by 2030, exceeding the US initial projection in 2020.

“The PRC has already established a nascent ‘nuclear triad’ with the development of a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) and improvement of its ground and sea-based nuclear capabilities,” the report stated.###