National Missile Defense and China’s Current Security Perceptions

Presented to the Stimson/CNA NMD-China Project on December 14, 2001

From Beijing’s perspective, NMD poses a fundamental challenge to China’s nuclear deterrent. Finkelstein probes Chinese perspectives in assessing PRC reactions to NMD, and encourages Beijing and Washington to undertake substantive strategic talks. For China, this will be a chance to shape what it claims is a core security concern.