This strategy is known as "Minimum Deterrence". Jeffrey Lewis has written a book on the PRC's strategic nuclear force posture that explores this: http://mitpr

This strategy is known as "Minimum Deterrence". Jeffrey Lewis has written a book on the PRC's strategic nuclear force posture that explores this: http://mitpress.mit.edu/books/minimum-means-reprisal http://mitpress.mit.edu/books/minimum-means-reprisal ...and a short essay on the broader concept of Minimum Deterrence: http://newamerica.net/node/8908 http://newamerica.net/node/8908 China's force is intended to be survivable despite its small size. Their ICBM force is road-mobile, launched from TELs rather than fixed silos.