The U.S. Strategic Command warned lawmakers this week that China is developing a new generation of nuclear energy facilities that could produce large quantities of plutonium that could be used to build nuclear weapons.
China is developing fastbreeder reactors and reprocessing facilities to reduce its reliance on coal, but these plants also produce plutonium that could be used to make nuclear weapons. The first fastbreeder reactor is scheduled to open in 2023.
Strategic Command Commander Charles Richard told the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday, “With the fast breeder reactor, there is a very large source of weapons-grade plutonium available, and that will change the upper bound of the options that China has in terms of expanding its nuclear capabilities even more dramatically. upper bound of the options available.”
The Strategic Command oversees the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
Reuters reports that there is no evidence that the Chinese Communist Party wants to use the plutonium it may produce for weapons purposes, but concerns are growing as Beijing’s nuclear warhead count is expected to at least double from the current 200 in the next 10 years.
A report last month titled “China’s Civil Nuclear Sector: Plowshares to Swords” noted that China has begun building a second nuclear spent fuel reprocessing plant that could be in service by 2030. It could be in service by 2030.
Recent Comments