291. Implications of a Comprehensive Test Ban for China's Security Policy
- Author:
- Xiangli Sun
- Publication Date:
- 06-1997
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Center for International Security and Cooperation
- Abstract:
- This paper focuses on the impact of a comprehensive test ban on China's nuclear program and security policy. After a general review of China's nuclear doctrine and development, the study analyzes the relationship between China's nuclear strategy and its desire for testing, and explores the reasons China decided to join the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. By comparing the maturity of the nuclear programs of the nuclear states and the degree of their preparations for a cessation of nuclear tests, this paper concludes that a comprehensive test ban would place greater constraints on China's nuclear program than on those of the others. Efforts such as a deeper reduction of the nuclear arsenals of the principal nuclear powers, a no-first-use commitment by all nuclear states, and the adherence to the ABM treaty by its signatories would be critical to reducing China's concerns. The progress of international arms control negotiations in the above directions would further encourage China to make even greater contributions in the field of global arms control in the post–comprehensive test ban era.
- Topic:
- Security, Arms Control and Proliferation, International Cooperation, and Nuclear Weapons
- Political Geography:
- China and Asia