The Real Reason Behind China's Nuclear Expansion
Under Xi, China has shifted toward a much more aggressive nuclear expansion. Why this sudden change?
· August 15, 2024
experts
Tong Zhao
Senior Fellow, Carnegie China, Nuclear Policy Program
about
Tong Zhao is a senior fellow with the Nuclear Policy Program and Carnegie China, Carnegie’s East Asia-based research center on contemporary China. Formerly based in Beijing, he now conducts research in Washington on strategic security issues, such as nuclear weapons policy, deterrence, arms control, nonproliferation, missile defense, hypersonic weapons, regional security issues in Asia Pacific, and China’s security and foreign policy.
He is also a nonresident researcher at the Science and Global Security Program of Princeton University, an associate editor of the journal Science & Global Security, and a member of the International Panel on Fissile Materials. He was a virtual visiting research fellow at the Cooperative Monitoring Center of the Sandia National Laboratories, a Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow at Harvard University, a nonresident WSD-Handa Fellow at Pacific Forum, and worked for the Office of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality.
He holds a PhD in science, technology, and international affairs from Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as an MA in international relations and a BS in physics from Tsinghua University. He is the author of “Political Drivers of China’s Changing Nuclear Policy: Implications for U.S.-China Nuclear Relations and International Security”, “Tides of Change: China’s Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines and Strategic Stability” and “Narrowing the U.S.-China Gap on Missile Defense: How to Help Forestall a Nuclear Arms Race.” He has published in Arms Control Today, Asian Security, The Atlantic, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, New York Times, War on the Rocks, and Politico, among others.
affiliations
education
PhD, Science, Technology, and International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology, MA, International Relations, Tsinghua University, BS, Physics, Tsinghua Universitylanguages
English, Mandarin ChineseAll work from Tong Zhao
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138 Results
· November 24, 2023
· May 23, 2023
Political Drivers of China’s Changing Nuclear Policy: Implications for U.S.-China Nuclear Relations and International Security
The message from Chinese officials has become increasingly clear: the United States and China should first stabilize their political relationship before taking on nuclear issues.
· July 17, 2024
Beyond the Putin-Kim Alliance: How Can the International Community Engage China to Contain Nuclear Risks Over the Korean Peninsula?
Faced with an increase in strategic maneuvering by Moscow and Pyongyang, Beijing will not sit idly by and allow Putin and Kim to shape the security environment on its behalf.
· July 10, 2024
The Real Motives for China’s Nuclear Expansion
Beijing seeks geopolitical leverage more than military advantage.
The World in Focus: Uncertainty and the Global Outlook for 2024
January 31, 2024
In order to explore the complexities of our rapidly changing world, the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center will examine pressing global issues through four engaging panel discussions in a one-day event, under the collective title, “The World in Focus: Uncertainty and the Global Outlook for 2024.”
Underlying Challenges and Near-Term Opportunities for Engaging China
If China continues expanding its nuclear arsenal and eschewing arms control with the United States, diplomatic engagement stands as one of the limited but crucial means to establish a safety net and reduce the risk of conflict.
The Gaza War and the Rest of the World
Scholars from Carnegie’s global network comment on how the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is affecting their areas of interest, and what the implications of this may be.
- +11
Carnegie China Scholars on the Biden-Xi Meeting
Carnegie China scholars share their assessment of the Biden-Xi meeting and its implications for U.S.-China relations going forward.
· November 21, 2023
It’s Time to Talk About No First Use
If China hopes to sway the United States on a No First Use policy, it stands to benefit from a better understanding of how its own behavior affects the conventional security concerns of U.S. allies.
Did the Unipolar Moment Ever End?
Foreign Affairs has recently published a number of articles on the global balance of power, the future of U.S. hegemony, and how great-power competition is playing out in the developing world. To complement these essays, we asked a broad pool of experts for their take.
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Foreign Affairs
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