China and Nuclear Arms Control: Evolving Policies

The document discusses China's evolving policies on nuclear arms control. Beijing's efforts to soften its reputation as an opponent of international safeguards and US-Soviet arms accords have intensified due to perceived threats from the rapid growth of US and Soviet military capabilities in East Asia. China aims to enhance its international respectability and act as a spokesman for disarmament concerns, especially among Third World countries. However, China's ultimate goals remain unchanged: maintaining the freedom to expand its nuclear weapons capabilities, exercising influence on US-Soviet arms talks that could affect East Asia, and promoting its own disarmament agenda.

China initially criticized arms control negotiations as perpetuating the superpowers' nuclear arms monopoly. However, as China emerged from isolation in the 1970s, it became concerned about Moscow's arms buildup in Asia, which it saw as a major security threat. China called for a global united front against the Soviet Union and moved closer to the United States and the West.

In recent years, China has become less concerned about Soviet expansion and more focused on the dangers of the arms race between the United States and the USSR. China believes that the arms race will widen the gap between its military capabilities and those of the superpowers. China has offered its own proposal for global disarmament at the UN but does not expect it to be approved. Despite public criticisms of the arms race, China privately supports US and Western efforts to respond to the Soviet buildup.

China's regional response to the Soviet threat in East Asia involves improving ties with the United States and Japan and using negotiations with Moscow to reduce tensions. While China's actions sometimes contradict its public position, its goal is to address the widening qualitative gap between Chinese and Soviet forces.

The document suggests that China is not yet ready to directly participate in US-Soviet negotiations on arms control. China remains wary of the intentions of both superpowers and doubts that meaningful disarmament can be achieved in the near future. China will likely continue its public criticism of the arms race while privately supporting Western efforts to respond to the Soviet buildup.