Beijing-Sana
China announced today that it does not plan to participate in the planned tripartite arms control talks with the United States and Russia, calling on Washington to reduce its nuclear arsenal and respond to calls to extend the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
"It is imperative that the United States respond to Russia's call to extend the new strategic arms reduction treaty and further reduce its massive nuclear arsenal, which will create conditions for other countries possessing nuclear weapons to join talks," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Li Jian told a news conference carried by Xinhua. Arms control. ”
"China always pursues a policy of defensive nature, keeps nuclear power always at the lowest level necessary for national security, adheres to the path of peaceful development and has not and will not participate in any form of arms race," Zhao added.
Zhao stressed that China's lack of participation in the tripartite negotiations does not mean that China will not participate in international nuclear disarmament efforts. He said, "China is ready to work with all parties to enhance communication and coordination within the framework of the existing multilateral mechanisms that include the five nuclear powers and discuss issues related to strategic stability on wide range".
Zhao made the remarks in response to the US statement marking the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, in which it stated that it would propose a bold new tripartite arms control initiative with Russia and China to help avoid an arms race.