Interactions among nuclear powers play a vital role in maintaining strategic stability. To eliminate the possible incentive of using nuclear weapons first is not equal to "mutually assured destruction". The most feasible strategic choice is to unilaterally promise not to be the first to use nuclear weapons and, at the same time, strengthen one's counterattack ability. China will not deviate from this principle while improving its nuclear strategy.

Some people say strategic stability means striking an overall balance between two nuclear powers, while others argue that strategic stability means allowing the nuclear superpower to play the dominant role across the world. The world today is more multi-polar than ever and it demands a new type of strategic stability that favors peaceful development. China has been playing a constructive role in the global security structure by according the highest priority to strategic stability, which is based on low-level but effective defensive self-armament.

China has never followed the nuclear strategy of "mutually assured destruction" or participated in a nuclear arms race. Ever since China became a nuclear power it has vowed not to be the first to use a nuclear weapon no matter what the situation is. It has also announced that it would never use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon countries or regions.

China is developing nuclear weapons to guard against nuclear blackmail, maintain strategic stability and establish a security environment that will not have any use for nuclear weapons. The new type of strategic stability that China is promoting is a special contribution to the security environment and conducive to peaceful development in Asia and the world beyond.

The author is a senior research fellow with China Arms Control and Disarmament Association.

(China Daily 08/12/2014 page9)