A recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) highlights China’s accelerated nuclear weapons development, positioning it as the world’s third-largest nuclear power behind Russia and the United States. The East Asian nation has increased its arsenal by 100 warheads in just one year, bringing its total to at least 600 operational nuclear weapons.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun defended the country’s nuclear policy, stating China maintains a “minimum level” of nuclear capability for self-defense and “never engages in an arms race.” This comes as the Pentagon warns China could surpass 1,000 warheads by 2030.

The global nuclear landscape remains dominated by nine nuclear-armed states, including NATO allies France and the UK, along with India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel – the latter of which doesn’t publicly acknowledge its nuclear capabilities. SIPRI’s annual assessment reveals a worldwide total of 12,241 nuclear warheads, with 9,614 actively maintained in military stockpiles.

Russia leads with 5,459 warheads (4,309 operational), followed by the U.S. with 5,177 (3,700 deployed or stored). While China’s projected arsenal of 1,500 warheads by 2035 would still be just one-third of current Russian or American stockpiles, its rapid modernization includes new ICBM silos, upgraded submarine-launched missiles, and development of a nuclear-capable bomber fleet.

The report notes China’s traditional practice of keeping warheads separate from delivery systems during peacetime, though questions remain about whether this posture continues. Beijing maintains its “no first use” policy and rejects U.S. denuclearization talks as “unfair and unrealistic,” while experts warn of weakening arms control measures fueling a dangerous new nuclear race.