China is expanding its military capabilities to counter the US in the region. After months of building its base in the South China Sea, Beijing has now decided to deploy nuclear submarines to the Pacific Ocean. This is the first time that China will deploy nuclear arms to the area.

China has defended its decision, stating that extraneous pressure makes this move necessary to solidify its position. Speaking at a press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, "China's construction in the South China Sea came later than other countries' illegal activities in the region." The country has not provided a timeline for the deployment.

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According to a recent report delivered by the Pentagon to the US Congress, "China will probably conduct its first nuclear deterrence patrol sometime in 2016." However, this is not the first time that this prediction has been made. China has been working on ballistic missile submarine technology for more than three decades. However, no actual deployment has been made so far owing to technological and policy issues.

The deployment of nuclear submarines to the South China Sea will require handing over the missiles and warheads to the Navy, and this will have far-reaching implications. China and the US are currently at loggerheads over the latter's actions in the South China Sea.

Last Tuesday, two Chinese fighter jets, and a US spy plane almost collided near Hainan island. China has four of its Jin-class ballistic missile submarines stationed there. It is also in the process of constructing a fifth missile submarine.

The Chinese government has repeatedly accused the United States of destabilizing peace and increasing tensions in Southeast Asia. China has cited the United States' presence in the region as "the real source of danger for Sino-US military safety at sea and in the air."

TagsSouth China Sea, Nuclear Armed Submarine, china, China Nuclear Submarine South China Sea