China has reportedly loaded more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles into three newly constructed silo fields near its border with Mongolia and is showing little interest in arms control talks, according to a draft Pentagon report seen by Reuters.
The assessment underlines Beijing’s accelerating military build-up, with the report saying China is expanding and modernizing its nuclear forces faster than any other nuclear power. Chinese officials have repeatedly dismissed such findings as attempts to “defame and discredit China and deliberately mislead the international community.”
Military vehicles carrying DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles travel past Tiananmen Square during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on National Day in Beijing, China, October 1, 2019. Jason Lee/Reuters (Jason Lee/Reuters)
Last month, US President Donald Trump said he might continue denuclearization talks with China and Russia. However, the Pentagon report concluded that Beijing appears disinclined to get involved.
“We continue to see no willingness from Beijing to pursue such measures or expanded discussions on arms control,” the report said.
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China’s missile force has developed rapidly. (CNS photo via Reuters)
According to the assessment, China likely loaded more than 100 DF-31 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles into silo fields near the Mongolian border. Although the Pentagon had previously disclosed the existence of the silo fields, it had not publicly estimated how many missiles had been placed inside them.
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The report did not identify any potential targets for the newly loaded missiles and could change before it is formally submitted to Congress, U.S. officials said.
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China’s Long March 2F rocket, carrying three astronauts for the Shenzhou 21 manned space mission, blasts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwest China, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (Andy Wong/AP Photo)
China’s warhead stockpile remained at the low level of 600 in 2024, reflecting what the report described as a lower production rate compared to previous years. Yet Beijing is on track to surpass a thousand nuclear warheads by 2030.
China says it is pursuing a nuclear strategy of self-defense and a no-first-use policy. But analysts say Beijing’s public messaging increasingly contradicts this restraint.
“For a country that still advocates a ‘use first’ policy, China is increasingly comfortable showcasing its nuclear arsenal, including parading its nuclear triad together for the first time in September,” said Jack Burnham, a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ China program.
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Trump and Xi will meet for the first time in six years in South Korea on October 30, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)
Burnham said Beijing’s rejection of arms control talks reflects the pace of weapons production. “China has no interest in remaining at a strategic disadvantage over the long term, and has no intention of building an arsenal comparable to its perceived place in the world, alongside and possibly ultimately ahead of the United States,” he said.
The report also warned that China expects to be able to win and win a war against Taiwan by the end of 2027. Beijing claims the self-governing island as its own territory and has never ruled out the use of force.
China is refining options to take Taiwan by “brute force,” including long-range strikes up to 2,000 nautical miles from the mainland that could disrupt U.S. military operations in the Asia-Pacific, the report said.
The findings come as the 2010 New START Treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia, is about to expire. The treaty limits both parties to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads.
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J-20 fighter jets fly in the sky during flight performance during the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Open Day Activities and Changchun Air Show 2025 on September 19, 2025 in Changchun, Jilin Province, China. The event will be held from September 19 to 23 in Changchun. (VCG via Getty Images)
“What is surprising is that China has now only loaded about 100 of the silos it recently built,” said Gordon Chang. “That is an indication that money is tight in the People’s Liberation Army.”
Chang warned against extending New START without Beijing’s participation. “Now is not the time for the US to agree to an extension of the New START treaty with Russia,” he said. “Russia and China are de facto allies, and they are working together against America. Without China in a deal — Beijing has roundly rejected any U.S. initiative on nuclear arms control — no treaty can be in America’s interests.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
