Dubious US Claim About Alleged Chinese ICBM Silos

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

On Wednesday, WaPo dubiously claimed that China is "construct(ing) what independent experts (sic) say are more than 100 new silos for intercontinental ballistic missiles in a desert near the northwestern city of Yumen, a building spree that could signal a major expansion of Beijing's nuclear capabilities (sic)," adding:

"Commercial satellite images obtained by researchers at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, Calif., show work underway at scores of sites across a grid covering hundreds of square miles of arid terrain in China's Gansu province." 

"The 119 nearly identical construction sites contain features that mirror those seen at existing launch facilities for China's arsenal of nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles."

"The acquisition of more than 100 new missile silos, if completed, would represent a historic shift for China…"

On Thursday, interventionist Blinken's spokesman Price addressed the issue, saying the following:

Reports by WaPo and other US media "suggest that the PRC's nuclear arsenal will grow more quickly (sic), and to a higher level than perhaps previously anticipated (sic)."  

"This buildup (sic) is concerning (sic)."

Note: The belligerent US has thousands of nuclear warheads and delivery systems able to strike targets anywhere worldwide.

Nonbelligerent China's nuclear arsenal includes a few hundred.

Like countless times before on many issues, Price defied reality by dubiously questioning China's "intent" — despite no evidence of a threat to the US or any other countries by its military.

In stark contrast, the US and its imperial partners are an unparalleled threat to humanity.

Commenting on WaPo's dubious report, China's Global Times (GT) explained that self-styled nuclear expert Jeffrey Lewis claimed that alleged silos under construction are likely for "DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles which can carry multiple warheads and reach targets as far as the US mainland."

It's unknown what Chinese construction near Yumen in the country's northwest is intended for.

As for Lewis, GT called him "an amateur," adding:

China's "DF-41 is solid-fueled road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile…" 

"(O)ne of its biggest advantages is its mobility and vitality. There is no point to put(ting) it inside a silo."

Their use is important for "stor(ing) high-thrust liquid-fuel intercontinental missiles and carry(ing) higher-yield nuclear warheads." 

All nations with nuclear arsenals have silos, notably the US.

China has reason to build and maintain them.

Some are used as decoys.

"The actual distribution of silos is a top secret of (all) nuclear powers."

WaPo's report was likely based on Biden regime-supplied talking points — as part of US war on China by other means.

GT urged Beijing to ignore it and similar ones.

Like Russia, Iran, North Korea, and other nonbelligerent nations on the US target list for regime change,  weapons development by China is defensive — polar opposite how hegemon USA and its imperial partners operate.

Separately, former Trump regime UN envoy, neocon/pro-war  Foundation for Defence of Democracies (FDD) member Nikki Haley contributed to a hostile-to-China FDD report titled "A Better Blueprint for International Organizations (sic)," saying:

The US "must stand up to our (invented) adversaries, unmistakably and unapologetically (sic)," adding:

"We should stand by our friends, boldly and bravely (sic)." 

"And we must stand for our principles confidently and clearly (sic)."

Unacceptably accusing nations on the US target list for regime change of using the UN for "evil purposes (sic)," she added:

"Like Russia, Beijing uses its seat on the Security Council to block justified and moral measures (sic)."

"China is quietly working to corrupt the United Nations from top to bottom (sic)." 

"Beijing is pursuing control of virtually every UN agency (sic)." 

"Its actions are malicious and often disastrous (sic) — falsely claiming she "lost track of how many countries expressed their fear of China's (nonexistent) bullying (sic)."

Haley is a congenital liar with 2024 presidential aspirations.

A Pompeo clone with a gender difference, she's a geopolitical know-nothing, ideological extremist — notorious for over-the-top rants in support of US war on humanity at home and abroad.

VISIT MY WEBSITE: stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman). Contact at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

My two Wall Street books are timely reading:

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"Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity"

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