The U.S. Strategic Command has informed the Senate and House Armed Services committees that China has now built more fixed and mobile InterContinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) launchers than the U.S.
This does not mean China has surpassed the U.S. in total nuclear weapons, as the U.S. has a triad of air, land and sea-based missiles and bombs.
China is rapidly building its nuclear force, and is expected to soon reach parity with Russia and the U.S.
China is not a party to the New Start treaty, which puts limits on the total number of warheads, and has refused to join talks to expand the treaty.
This highlights the need for the U.S. to modernize its nuclear arsenal, both in terms of warheads and delivery systems, in order to maintain its deterrent capabilities.
