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Why has China doubled its nuclear capacity in the last decade?

For decades, China pared back its nuclear weapons program and kept its arsenal to a minimum. Now, new satellite images show China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal and production sites. Why?

Copyright 2026 NPR

Emily Feng is NPR's Beijing correspondent.
Hannah Bloch is lead digital editor on NPR's international desk, overseeing the work of NPR correspondents and freelance journalists around the world.
Daniel Ofman