The PLA at Home and Abroad - Strategic Studies Institute - U.S. Army

the entire period with: “The whole world is astounded
and shocked by these actions of the DPRK.” He described
China’s opposition to the nuclear test as violating
UNSC resolutions, degrading the effectiveness
of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime,
and disturbing the peace and stability of northeast
Asia. 21 Retired Major General Peng Guangqian, formerly
of the PLA Academy of Military Science, was
equally, if not more, critical of the DPRK in a Huanqiu
Shibao commentary. Major General Peng criticized the
view perhaps held in Pyongyang that nuclear arms
will improve its international standing and strengthen
the DPRK’s national security. Rather than achieve
these objectives, he asserts that nuclear weapons
will put the DPRK in a “more precarious position.”
DPRK nuclear weapons, Peng declared, will provide
increased incentive for preemptive attacks on itself.
Indeed, the DPRK’s nuclear arms do not provide either
a first-strike capability or second-strike capability
They provide only “greater instability and uncertainty
for the DPRK’s own security.” Reflecting a view likely
held widely in Beijing, Major General Peng argues
Pyongyang’s efforts should be devoted to building
the DPRK’s crumbling economy. This would not only
improve the people’s quality of life, but would lay
the groundwork for enhancing the country’s national
power. Developing nuclear weapons, he said, can
only detract from the DPRK’s ability to strengthen its
national power. 22
PLA views of the situation on the Korean peninsula
were clear enough. What was not evident is how
Beijing would ultimately respond to a DPRK that
consistently pursues policies that not only serve to
destabilize the Korean peninsula, but which threaten
the peace and security of Northeast Asia. A nuclear-
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