The Untold Story of China's Nuclear Weapon Development and Testing (Paperback)

Hui Zhang

ISBN 10: 0262051826 / ISBN 13: 9780262051828

Published by MIT Press Ltd, 2025

About this Item

Paperback. A comprehensive technical history of China's nuclear warhead development and testing, as well as a new framework for understanding China's efforts to modernize its nuclear arsenal.A comprehensive technical history of China's nuclear warhead development and testing, as well as a new framework for understanding China's efforts to modernize its nuclear arsenal.The Untold Story of China's Nuclear Weapon Development and Testing offers the most comprehensive account of China's nuclear weapons development from 1955 to 1996. Hui Zhang examines the purpose and technical specifics of each nuclear test and provides new details about China's pursuit of warhead miniaturization. Based on a number of new Chinese-language sources that have not previously been analyzed, this book reveals that China has the ability to produce smaller, lighter warheads than some have suggested, as well as more options for missiles that could carry a larger number of warheads.The book also provides a new framework for understanding China's efforts to modernize its nuclear arsenal and offers clues about the future of China's nuclear program. As the international community watches China's rapid nuclear expansion with concern-and, in particular, as the United States considers whether it will be confronting two peer nuclear-armed adversaries (Russia and China) in the future-this book is a significant contribution to the policy debate over a potential new three-way nuclear arms race. "This book provides the most comprehensive and definitive technical history of China's development of nuclear warheads, as well as a new framework for understanding China's efforts to modernize its nuclear arsenal"-- Provided by publisher. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780262051828

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Untold Story of China's Nuclear Weapon Development and Testing (Paperback)
• Publisher: MIT Press Ltd
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0262051826
• ISBN 13: 9780262051828
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

A comprehensive technical history of China’s nuclear warhead development and testing, as well as a new framework for understanding China’s efforts to modernize its nuclear arsenal.

The Untold Story of China’s Nuclear Weapon Development and Testing offers the most comprehensive account of China’s nuclear weapons development from 1955 to 1996. Hui Zhang examines the purpose and technical specifics of each nuclear test and provides new details about China’s pursuit of warhead miniaturization. Based on a number of new Chinese-language sources that have not previously been analyzed, this book reveals that China has the ability to produce smaller, lighter warheads than some have suggested, as well as more options for missiles that could carry a larger number of warheads.

The book also provides a new framework for understanding China’s efforts to modernize its nuclear arsenal and offers clues about the future of China’s nuclear program. As the international community watches China’s rapid nuclear expansion with concern—and, in particular, as the United States considers whether it will be confronting two peer nuclear-armed adversaries (Russia and China) in the future—this book is a significant contribution to the policy debate over a potential new three-way nuclear arms race.

About the Author

Hui Zhang is Senior Research Associate at the Project on Managing the Atom in the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he leads a research initiative on China’s nuclear policies.