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Despite their military superiority, the Soviets so far have carefully avoided even mentioning the possibility of a preventive strike against the Chinese nuclear test site in Sinkiang. At present, the Chinese lack an effective missile for their nuclear bombs. In four or five years, however, they may develop a delivery system that could establish a balance of terror between the two nervous neighbors. So far, Soviet policy has been to confine the fighting strictly to limited border areas. Still, the increasing gravity of the Sino-Soviet dispute—and the relative weakness of China's defenses—must present a certain temptation to Soviet military planners.