Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 05/2008

Stopping a nuclear arms race between America and China

Hugh White

August 2007

Lowy Institute for International Policy

Abstract

China and America may be at the start of a destabilising nuclear arms race, as China tries to preserve its ability to deter US nuclear attack in the light of US missile defences and nuclear system upgrades. That would undermine hopes that the US and China can build a stable cooperative relationship as China's power grows. So Australia has a big interest in trying to help head off the risk of an arms race. In a new Lowy Institute Policy Brief, Hugh White suggests that there is something simple we could try.