China's stable and transparent nuclear policies have been an important contributor to nuclear disarmament, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, in response to a U.S. official's proposal that China should join the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).
China has always been committed to the principle of non-first-use of nuclear weapons, and has consistently advocated the comprehensive prohibition and total destruction of nuclear weapons. China will maintain its nuclear arsenal at the minimum level for self-defense, Lu Kang, spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at Thursday's routine press conference.
Such stable and transparent policies have contributed to international nuclear disarmament, Lu noted.
Lu's remarks came after media reports quoted U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as saying Wednesday that China should join the next START treaty on curbing nuclear weapons.
Extending START, a major bilateral arrangement for nuclear weapons reduction between the U.S. and Russia, is of global concern. China hopes the extension will improve international peace and security, since it not only affects U.S.-Russia strategic security relations but global strategic stability, Lu said.
The U.S. and Russia, as two countries with the largest nuclear arsenals, are obliged to fulfill their nuclear disarmament responsibilities in accordance with the consensus of the international community, including UN General Assembly resolutions. The two are responsible for sharp reductions in nuclear weapons in a verifiable, irreversible and legally binding manner to help create conditions for the comprehensive and complete nuclear disarmament, said Lu.
