China is expanding and diversifying its nuclear capabilities in both civilian and military sectors, boosting its global dominance in nuclear energy and weapons.
Repeated missile and other provocations by North Korea were discussed in the July 20 trilateral in Karuizawa and on the agenda for the leaders' August summit.
Its territorial appetite combined with the apparent graduation by China from a defensive to a preemptive strike posture for defense is raising regional alarms.
The latest estimate debunks Beijing's claim that China is "maintaining nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required to safeguard national security."
