China’s nuclear capability is crucial for the balance of power in East Asia and the world. As this book reveals, there have been important changes recently in China’s nuclear posture: the movement from a minimum deterrence posture toward a medium nuclear power posture; the pursuit of space warfare and missile defence capabilities; and, most significantly, the omission in the 2013 Defence White Paper of any reference to the principle of No First Use. Employing the insights of structural realism, this book argues that the imperatives of an anarchic international order have been the central drivers of China’s nuclear assertiveness. The book also assesses the likely impact of China’s emerging nuclear posture on its neighbours and on the international strategic balance, especially with the United States. The book concludes by examining China’s future nuclear directions in the context of its apparent shift toward a more offensive-oriented international strategy.

China's nuclear capability is crucial for the balance of power in East Asia and the world; and has the potential to disrupt the East Asian, and global, strategic balance. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the recent changes in China's nuclear posture. It argues that there is a new, troubling assertiveness about China's nuclear posture, and assesses the likely impact on China's neighbours and on the international strategic balance, especially with the United States. The book concludes by discussing the shift under China's new leadership towards a more offensive international strategy, and by considering China's nuclear posture within this broader development.

Introduction 1. Analyzing China's Nuclear Posture 2. China’s Nuclear Forces and Doctrines 3. Balance of Power and China’s Expanding Offensive Nuclear Capabilities 4. Balance of Power and New Dimensions of China’s Nuclear Posture 5. Balance of Threat and China’s Changing Nuclear Doctrines 6. China’s Assertive Nuclear Posture and the Security of East Asia Conclusion