If I didn’t know better, I’d say China is about to gain an overwhelming and deadly nuclear advantage of some kind and is prepared to take it, but these scientists can’t in good conscience be part of it... Wait, I don’t know better!
It could be financial as well. Being nuclear scientists, they know how to read federal budgets and maybe they don’t like China’s long term trends and are packing it in early.
What form could this advantage take?
We currently deploy a force of nuclear subs which carry optimumly something in the area of 2500-3000 nuclear warheads. These missile subs are constantly on patrol with their locations unknown to even our own military except in the most general terms.
How would China overcome this threat which completely annihilate their country in order to use what you claim their alleged advantage?