China Punishes General for Nuclear Threat

China has given an “administrative demerit” to a general who said that any U.S. military intervention in Taiwan could lead China to use nuclear weapons against the United States, Reuters reported yesterday (see GSN, Aug. 4).

Maj. Gen Zhu Chenghu cannot be promoted for one year, according to sources.

“He misspoke,” a source said. “But the punishment could not be too harsh or we would be seen as too weak toward the United States.”

The demerit, while potentially damaging to a career, is the second-lightest punishment an officer could receive.

“His chances for promotion in the future are extremely slim,” said a second source (Reuters/International Herald Tribune, Dec. 22).