World War 3: China constructs new nuclear missile silos that can potentially target the US amidst tensions

Among the countries that can spark a world war with its nuclear arsenal is China, which is at the center of conflicts against several nations, most especially the US, as of late. As tensions remain high, satellite images have revealed what China has been doing for its growing nuclear stockpile.

Fears of a possible world war have been stoked as satellite images revealed that China has built a network of nuclear weapon bases, including a new silo field that is currently in the works in the western region of the country. Speaking on Fox News, nuclear nonproliferation expert Jeffrey Lewis said that the new missile launch sites found in China were capable of containing US nuclear strikes. Lewis added that the new nuclear launch sites could be able to launch multiple nuclear warheads at targets 9,000 miles away.

“What silos are great for is soaking up enemy warheads,” said Lewis. “If you look at China’s silos, which are now in the order of 230/40, it takes at least two nuclear warheads to destroy each silo.”

Fox News Correspondent Lucas Tomlinson reported that it would be the second time in a span of two months that China was found to be building more than 100 silos. Tomlinson added that by the time construction would be completed, China would have more than 200. This would be half the number of the land-based silos that the US has in the western region of the country.

Lewis’s warnings follow warnings made by UK Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood that China may have the advantage unless the west takes immediate action to deter China’s increasing rise.

“We are still coming to terms with what we need to do about China,” said Ellwood. “In my view, this is very serious indeed, the world is splintering into two competing spheres of influence.”

Tensions between the US and China over Taiwan have also been high as of late, with the issue over the island nation also capable of starting an all-out military conflict or a world war. China claims to have sovereignty over Taiwan, claiming that the island nation is part of the mainland despite having its own constitution and form of government. Taiwan, however, has strongly denied the claims made by Beijing.

Despite the US supporting Taiwan, according to a panel of experts, even if Washington decides to intervene in China’s possible attempt to take over Taiwan by force, China will still succeed. In a virtual panel hosted by LaTrobe University, Dr. Oriana Skylar Mastro of Stanford University said that the US is guaranteed to show up for Taiwan in case of conflict against China. Dr. Mastro also noted that the reason for China to take a more aggressive approach not just on Taiwan but also on the South China Sea is that it believes it will win because of its proximity to Taiwan.