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UK PM's China Visit Sidesteps Nuclear Buildup, Human Rights: Report

During UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent visit to China, discussions with President Xi Jinping notably avoided the contentious issue of Beijing's rapid and secretive nuclear weapons buildup. A report highlights that China's arsenal is growing faster than any other nation's, adding roughly 100 warheads annually since 2023 without providing a public rationale. The Pentagon has warned this expansion makes the US homeland increasingly vulnerable and points to a more attack-ready nuclear posture from China. The talks reportedly covered Chinese threats to UK security but omitted what the report calls the paramount threat: proliferating nuclear weapons.

Key Points: Starmer's China Visit Avoided Nuclear Buildup, Rights Issues

  • Starmer avoided nuclear buildup talks
  • China adding ~100 warheads/year
  • Pentagon warns of "hair-trigger" posture
  • China rejects arms control negotiations
  • Focus on Taiwan invasion capability by 2027
2 min read

British PM's China visit sidelines discussions on Beijing's rapid nuclear build-up: Report

Report says UK PM Keir Starmer did not raise China's rapid nuclear expansion or human rights with President Xi Jinping during recent diplomatic visit.

"China's nuclear arsenal is growing faster than any other country's, by about 100 new warheads a year since 2023. - Stockholm International Peace Research Institute"

London, Feb 3

During UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent visit to China, discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping avoided Beijing's "dangerous, unexplained, secretive and rapid buildup" of nuclear weapons as well as other contentious issues such as human rights abuses, espionage and Taiwan, a report said on Tuesday.

Citing the 2025 report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri), a report in the UK's leading daily, The Guardian, stated that while China, with an estimated 600 warheads, lags behind other nuclear powers, it's catching up at a fast pace.

"China's nuclear arsenal is growing faster than any other country's, by about 100 new warheads a year since 2023 ... [It] could potentially have at least as many ICBMs [intercontinental ballistic missiles] as either Russia or the US by the turn of the decade," The Guardian quoted Sipri as saying.

According to the report, Beijing has provided no explanation or rationale for this dramatic increase - and rejected negotiations with multilateral arms control.

"An official white paper, published by China in November, restated its position that countries with the largest nuclear arsenals must make the first move, by unilaterally making 'drastic and substantive reductions'. Until then, it said, China would keep its own nuclear capabilities 'at the minimum level required for national security'. The paper conveniently omitted to say what that level is," it noted.

Despite its current advantages, the report said, the US remains concerned with the Pentagon warning in December last year that "China's historic military buildup has made the US homeland increasingly vulnerable".

The Pentagon also highlighted what it described as a more attack-ready, "hair-trigger" nuclear posture, claiming that about 100 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) were recently installed in silos in northern China. It added that Beijing was testing its capacity "to strike US forces in the Pacific", potentially undermining future US military support to Taiwan.

"China expects to be able to fight and win a war on Taiwan by the end of 2027," The Guardian quoted the Pentagon as saying.

The report further said, "Whatever China's President is thinking, these are alarming times for anyone worried about global thermonuclear war - which should be everyone. Starmer's talks with Xi reportedly included Chinese threats to UK national security. What bigger threat is there than proliferating nuclear weapons? Yet as far as is known, he did not raise the issue."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
While the focus is on China and the West, this directly impacts the Indo-Pacific region's balance of power. India must accelerate its own strategic defense programs and deepen partnerships with like-minded democracies. Economic engagement is one thing, but security cannot be an afterthought.
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Priya S
The 2027 timeline mentioned for Taiwan is alarming. It shows a clear intent. The West's approach of avoiding tough conversations for trade benefits is short-sighted. India has always advocated for peaceful resolution of disputes. The global community must hold China accountable to that principle.
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Vikram M
China says it will keep nukes at "minimum level required". But what is that level? Complete lack of transparency is the real problem. It creates suspicion and an arms race. As a neighbour, we feel this instability most acutely. Hope diplomacy prevails, but we must be prepared for all scenarios. Jai Hind.
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Rohit P
Respectfully, I think the criticism of Starmer is a bit harsh. He's a new PM, maybe building rapport first. But the report is right – you can't ignore the elephant in the room forever. Nuclear proliferation is the ultimate security threat. Next meeting, he must bring it up firmly.
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Michael C
This underscores why the Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia) and other regional alliances are so vital. No single country can manage this challenge alone. Collective security and transparent dialogue are the only ways forward. India's role as a responsible nuclear power is more important than ever.

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