China has reportedly placed ballistic missiles at its north eastern border close enough that they are capable of reaching the United States.
The missiles, which can carry up to ten nuclear warheads up to 8,700 miles, are reportedly being moved to Heilongjiang province in north eastern China close to the frontier with Russia.
The move comes after a leading English-language Chinese newspaper said that the country must strengthen its nuclear arsenal to ‘force the US to respect it’ in response to the stance of new US President Donald Trump.
Unconfirmed reports in Chinese media say the weapons have been put in place in the central Henan region and north-eastern Heilongjiang province. It is strategic as the province is the closest point in China to the United States and also sits on the eastern border with Russia.
The decision to deploy them was reportedly taken last month, days after the United States, Japan and South Korea held a military exercise countering the missile threat from North Korea.