China Urges U.S. to Honor Nuclear Disarmament Responsibilities
China’s Ministry of National Defence on Thursday dismissed recent United States (U.S.) allegations of nuclear testing as “groundless smears.”
It called on the U.S. to fulfill its “special and primary responsibility” for nuclear disarmament. Spokesperson Jiang Bin made the remarks in response to media questions regarding claims by U.S. officials.
Jiang emphasised that China adheres to a self-defensive nuclear strategy, maintains a no-first-use policy, and unconditionally commits not to use or threaten nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones.
China’s nuclear capabilities were kept at the minimum necessary for national security, and it did not participate in a nuclear arms race.
China has actively engaged in the review process of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons and participated in meetings under the mechanism of the five nuclear-weapon states. It maintained the dialogue on nuclear arms control with all parties.
Jiang criticised the U.S. for undermining international arms control, withdrawing from treaties, heavily investing in upgrading its “nuclear triad,” and developing the “Golden Dome” global missile defence system.
He also highlighted U.S. actions in deploying land-based intermediate-range weapons in the Asia-Pacific, allowing the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty to lapse, seeking to resume nuclear testing, and applying double standards on nuclear non-proliferation.
According to Jiang, these measures have seriously weakened global strategic stability. “Being the country with the largest nuclear arsenal, the U.S. should earnestly fulfill its special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament, make substantial reductions in its nuclear arsenal.
“It should create conditions for other nuclear-weapon states to participate in disarmament,” Jiang said. #China Urges U.S. to Honor Nuclear Disarmament Responsibilities#
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