According to Charles Richard, Head of the U.S. Strategic Command, Beijing aims to become a strategic rival to Washington on equal terms by the end of the decade.
For the first time in its history, the United States will receive two rivals, Russia and China, with nuclear capabilities in the next 10 years. This was stated by the head of the U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) Admiral Charles Richard at a video conference held Thursday by the U.S. Air Force Association at the Mitchell Institute. His words were quoted by the Pentagon’s press office.
China is in the final stages of a nuclear triad with advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarines, Richard said. “China wants to be our strategic rival on equal terms by the end of the decade”, – Richard said, adding that the United States’ second rival in this area is Russia. – “This is the first time that the United States will face two competitors with nuclear capabilities. According to the U.S. admiral, China has outperformed the United States in terms of overall military capability expansion, developing new control and warning systems, and improving operational readiness.”
Besides, speaking about Russia, Richard noted that Moscow has been carrying out both the modernization of military control systems and the work on increasing the efficiency of exercises in the last 15 years. Russia has achieved its goals by 70%, the admiral added.
July 27-30 in the Austrian capital within the framework of bilateral strategic dialogue the meeting of interdepartmental delegations of Russia and the United States took place. Washington expected to involve the Chinese side in the dialogue. July 29, U.S. President Donald Trump said that the United States will first hold talks with Russia on arms control, and then Washington and Moscow together will begin a dialogue with Beijing.
On July 8, Fu Tsung, Director of the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Arms Control Department, noted that China is ready to participate if the United States reduces its arsenals to the level available to China. According to the Chinese diplomat, Beijing really understands that “this cannot happen.