The Era Of Mao Zedong And Deng Xiaoping, China's Nuclear Strategy Evolution Motivation Analysis

Nuclear strategy is the general plan or policy that plans and directs the development and use of nuclear power. As the development of China's nuclear power twists and turns, the nuclear strategy which directs China's nuclear strategy also keeps changing with the development and evolution of history. Based on the analysis of characteristics of Chinese specific history conditions, there are some differences between China's nuclear strategy in the era of Mao Zedong and that in the era of Deng Xiaoping.Judging from comprehensive analysis, China's nuclear strategy in the era of Mao was a strategy of counter-nuclear blackmail while China's nuclear strategy in the era of Deng tended to be a strategy of minimum deterrence. The former focused on coping with enemies'nuclear blackmail and deterrence with its own nuclear power that falls short of a counterattack. However, the latter was based on the possession of the minimum capability of nuclear counterattacks which can deter the enemy. The reason for the alteration of China's nuclear strategy during the era of Mao and Deng is mainly because of the transformation of international circumstance and relations between big powers. At that time, the world moved towards peace from the verge of battles and the tense relationship between major countries mitigated. China had become a player in the international community instead of a participant of a unilateral camp. Besides, leaders'nuclear thinking varies from person to person. Actually, there are some differences in the cognition of nuclear power between Mao and Deng. In the way, the social ethos at that time also boosted the evolution of China's nuclear strategy.Based on the analysis of international situation, state identity, leader's personal nuclear thinking, it is safe to conclude that China's nuclear strategy which is a strategy of minimum deterrence will not change in a certain period. China will stick to the policy of not-be-the-first-to-use-nuclear-weapon; make sure to have limited and effective nuclear power and push forward nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation actively with a view to construct a world without nuclear weapons.