China is not without a way to do damage to anyone with a nuclear attack. China developed nuclear weapons during the Cold War and has since maintained a relatively modest arsenal of ~250 warheads and bombs. Fewer than a hundred of these weapons could reach the United States, though China, like Russia, has increase its capabilities in response to advances in US missile defense.
As China increases its military capacity in East Asia, and the US expands its military forces in the region, the risk of military conflict grows—and so does the risk of nuclear war.
The Chinese capacity to conventional war has increased as they have been placing emphasis on their navy with the construction and launching of vessels. But they are geared to defense more than offense. Like any country that lives under third world thought processes, loss is acceptable if the goal is reached. Their main goal is to keep the mainland sound. (CYA) But they are aware they are years behind us in technology, size, and capacity. They don’t want direct conflict like Iran pushes for. But they are prepared to determine anything as an attack. I think you call that thin skinned, which can promote pre-mature reaction.
rwood
Take out the Three Gorges Dam and China won’t be a problem anymore