The Dongfeng-5C: A Missile Shaping Global Deterrence

In this episode of Deep Dive, we explore the Dongfeng-5C— a liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile that made its high-profile debut at Beijing’s September 3rd, 2025 commemoration (marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War). Far beyond a new military hardware reveal, the Dongfeng-5C has become a global focal point, and we unpack its strategic weight: from its game-changing capabilities (global strike range, ultra-high speed, MIRV technology) to its decades-long development history, and the mixed domestic and international reactions it sparked. We also discuss how it fits with China’s "no first use" nuclear policy, its role in reshaping deterrence psychology, and the broader questions it raises about 21st-century global security dynamics.