China Building Launch Pads Close To Nuclear Missile Silos: Report

China is building launch pads near its nuclear missile silos, according to satellite images analyzed by Reuters. The country’s nuclear missiles can already reach any part of the U.S.

The outlet detailed that the complex, located in a remote desert area, is also building bunkers and communication nodes, as well as facilities that could serve for electronic warfare and command operations.

Overall, there seem to be more than 80 pads as the country expands its arsenal, according to security analysts consulted by the outlet.

“We can see this infrastructure is being built on a grand scale, covering thousands of square kilometers of desert beyond the silo fields,” Alexander Neill, an adjunct fellow at Hawaii’s Pacific Forum think tank, told Reuters.

“We’re looking at a very considerable enhancement and diversification of China’s strategic nuclear deterrent,” he added.

Elsewhere in the report, Reuters noted that the silo fields, located in northwestern Xinjiang and the Gansu province, are the core of the country’s nuclear forces. The country can also fire nuclear weapons from submarines and aircraft.

Some Western diplomats have said that while the country has a “no first use” policy, it could resort to a nuclear deterrent to take over Taiwan.

President Xi Jinping recently warned Donald Trump that mishandling the Taiwan issue could place the U.S.-China relationship in “great jeopardy” and lead to “clashes and even conflicts.”

Taiwan remains the most sensitive issue in relations between Washington and Beijing, with China viewing the self-governed island as part of its territory while the United States continues military and political support for Taipei.

Taiwan’s government said it saw “nothing surprising” in the summit discussions and remained in close communication with Washington.

The US does not formally recognize Taiwan and reiterates a ‘one China’ policy while maintaining unofficial ties with Taipei.