At a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun firmly rejected calls for China to join nuclear disarmament negotiations between the United States and Russia. "It's neither reasonable nor realistic," Guo said, highlighting differences in nuclear policies and arsenal sizes.
Guo's remarks responded to reports that U.S. President Donald Trump had expressed hope for China's participation in talks on cutting nuclear arsenals. "China's nuclear strength is by no means on the same level with that of the U.S. Our nuclear policy and strategic security environment are also completely different," he told reporters.
He reiterated that China follows a strict "no first use" policy and maintains a self-defensive nuclear strategy, ensuring its arsenal stays at the minimum level required by national security. "We never engage in an arms race with anyone," Guo added.
China's approach, he said, contributes to world peace by promoting stability without aggressive posturing.
Analysts note that the United States and Russia hold the majority of the world's nuclear warheads and have led past disarmament treaties. China's decision to abstain underscores a push to broaden arms control discussions beyond traditional bilateral frameworks.
While U.S.-Russia landmark treaties — from START I to New START — set historic benchmarks, China's exclusion raises questions about the future of multilateral arms control. Observers argue that meaningful global reductions will require strategies that account for each nuclear state's unique security needs.
Amid evolving geopolitical tensions, experts emphasize the need for inclusive dialogue. For now, China remains committed to its minimum deterrence posture, signaling openness to talks aligned with its strategic principles.
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China rejects call to join U.S.-Russia nuclear disarmament talks
cgtn.com
