China maintains an arsenal of about 400 warheads: some 250 "strategic" weapons in a triad of long-range land-based missiles, bombers, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles; and some 150 "tactical" weapons--presumably lower-yield bombs for tactical aircraft, possibly artillery shells, atomic demolition munitions, and short-range missiles like the Dong Feng (or DF-) 15 and 11. These missiles are better known by their export names: The DF-15 is known as the M-9, and has a 600-kilometer range; the DF-11, or M-11, has a 300-kilometer range.
Chinese nuclear forces are estimated to be deployed at about 20 locations. They are under the ultimate control of the Central Military Commission (CMC), which is chaired by Chinese President Jiang Zemin. Other members of the CMC are generals from the Peoples Liberation Army, several of whom also serve on the Politburo of the Communist Party.
The use of the term "strategic" in the Chinese case needs some qualification. China has only about 20 missiles capable of intercontinental distances, and another 100 with ranges from 1,800 to 4,750 kilometers. Although bomber forces are normally considered part of strategic forces, Chinese bombers cannot go great distances, and China's single ballistic missile submarine does not venture far. Compared to the nuclear weapons systems of the other powers, …
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