China’s Nuclear No-First Use Policy: An Appraisal

Abstract

China announced a No-First Use (NFU) policy as a coherent, and normatively meaningful element of the Chinese nuclear doctrine in contrast to the ambiguous or aggressive nature of other nuclear powers. With the increasing geopolitical tensions and the fast development of nuclear arsenals in the global south, the credibility, strategic rationale, and international implications of the Chinese commitment to NFU requires an intense examination. This article provides a critical review of doctrinal developments and operational position of the China’s NFU policy. Although, the critics doubt about its sincerity, transparency, and adaptability during any crisis but the NFU doctrine promulgated by China is based on minimum deterrence and centralized command. Grounded on the comparative analysis, expert doctrinal materials, and empirical observations, this article contends that China’s NFU policy can be deployed as both an essential element of the Chinese deterrence policy and a possible example of nuclear responsibility in an increasingly unstable international strategic environment.