China has dismissed as “unrealistic and unreasonable” the idea of joining nuclear disarmament negotiations alongside the United States and Russia, underscoring the wide differences in military posture and nuclear doctrine between the countries.
The remarks came from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun after US President Donald Trump said he had discussed nuclear arms control with Russian President Vladimir Putin and hoped China would also take part.
Different Nuclear Doctrines
“China’s nuclear forces and those of the United States are not on the same level, and the two countries’ security environment and nuclear doctrines are entirely different,” Guo emphasized.
He added that Beijing maintains a long-standing policy of “no first use” of nuclear weapons and adheres strictly to a self-defense nuclear strategy. According to the spokesperson, China has no intention of engaging in an arms race with any other country.
Responsibility of Major Nuclear Powers
Guo stressed that countries with the world’s largest nuclear arsenals — namely the United States and Russia — must “seriously shoulder their special responsibility” for nuclear disarmament.
Trump’s Call for Broader Talks
Speaking to reporters earlier this week ahead of his meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Trump said disarmament was a “very important” priority.
“One of the things we’re trying to do with Russia and China is denuclearization, and it’s very important,” he stated. “Disarmament is a big goal. Russia is willing to do it, and I believe China will also be willing. We cannot allow the spread of nuclear weapons. We must stop nuclear weapons.”
