On Thursday, China called on the US to make substantial reductions to its nuclear arsenal and halt the proliferation of nuclear materials and technology.
Beijing also urged Washington to “refrain from extending nuclear deterrence or expanding nuclear alliances,” according to state media reports.
Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, expressed strong opposition to Washington’s expansion of its nuclear arsenal and its avoidance of nuclear disarmament responsibilities, which Beijing argues is unjustified under the alleged “China nuclear threat,” as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Wu emphasized that China follows a “self-defense nuclear strategy” and maintains its nuclear forces at the minimum level needed for national security.
He noted that the US possesses the world’s largest nuclear arsenal and adheres to a nuclear policy that allows for the first use of nuclear weapons.
In recent years, Wu added, Washington has “heavily invested in the miniaturization of nuclear weapons for potential combat” and exhibited double standards on nuclear proliferation, posing a significant threat to global strategic stability.
