China Urges US to Take Lead on Nuclear Disarmament After Pentagon Report

Post by : Saif Nasser

China has urged the United States to take greater responsibility for nuclear disarmament after a draft Pentagon report claimed that Beijing has expanded its nuclear missile capabilities and is not interested in arms control talks.

Speaking at a regular press briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the United States, as the country with one of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals, should lead efforts to reduce nuclear weapons. He said the US should also help create conditions that allow other nuclear-armed nations to move toward disarmament.

The Pentagon report said China is likely to have placed nuclear warheads on more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles. It also suggested that China has little desire to engage in nuclear arms control discussions with Washington. These claims have added to rising tensions between the two countries over military and security issues.

China rejected the report’s message and said it does not reflect the full picture. Lin Jian repeated Beijing’s long-standing position that China keeps its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national defense. He said China does not seek nuclear competition and follows a defensive strategy.

Chinese officials have also stressed that China has a no-first-use policy, meaning it pledges not to use nuclear weapons unless attacked first. Beijing argues that this policy shows its commitment to stability and peace, even as it modernizes its military.

China has consistently said that nuclear disarmament talks should begin with countries that hold the largest number of nuclear weapons. From Beijing’s view, the United States and Russia, which together possess most of the world’s nuclear warheads, must make deeper reductions before asking other nations to join formal arms control agreements.

The United States, on the other hand, says China’s rapid military development and lack of transparency are reasons for concern. US officials argue that open dialogue and arms control talks are necessary to avoid misunderstandings and reduce the risk of conflict.

This exchange highlights growing mistrust between the two global powers. Along with disagreements over trade, technology, and regional security, nuclear policy has become another sensitive area in US-China relations.

Experts warn that rising tensions and limited communication increase global risks. They say meaningful disarmament requires trust, dialogue, and leadership from major nuclear powers.

For now, both countries remain firm in their positions. China is calling on the United States to lead by example, while the US continues to press China for greater openness. How these differences are managed will play a key role in shaping global nuclear stability in the years ahead.