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Let's get some perspective here.
Chinese nuclear warheads are stored in different locations away from their delivery platforms. The warheads are under the Central Military Commission's control, ie civilian control. The delivery platforms are tasked through the 2nd Artillery Corps. In other words, the military is at the mercy of the civilians as far as nukes are concerned. So much so that the 2AC could not depend on the availability of nukes in their strike plans, even in their exercises (the civies could not give their release codes in time). This has been so frustrating that the 2AC has pretty well given up nukes as their 1st strike systems. Instead, relying on conventional warheads in a precision barrage of 4-5 missiles.
So, NO, the Chinese ain't ready to even begin contemplating a 1st strike, not without years, if not decades of retraining, refocusing, and re-making their entire nuclear strike package.
As for Gen Zhu, he's pissed off that he's been passed over for promotion and is stuck at a dead end job being a tour guide at the NDU. He's in charge of the English speaking foreign students, meaning that he's job does not allow him ANY exposure to materials that his students might have a chance to read. Do not assume his statements are official policy because it's not, neither written nor in practice.
As for Chinese subs, until they get more sea legs, they ain't much of a threat.
__________________
Chimo
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