Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian. Photo: China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

When asked to comment on a draft report from the US Pentagon claims that China may have already deployed over 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles in its three newest missile silo fields and shows no willingness to engage in arms control negotiations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that he is not aware of the so-called internal report from the US. 

Such similar hype by the US side is its consistent tactic, designed to find excuses for accelerating its own nuclear strength modernization, undermining global strategic stability. The international community should have a clear understanding of this, Lin said at the press conference on Tuesday.

Lin noted that as the world's largest nuclear superpower in possession of the biggest nuclear arsenal, the pressing task for the US is to earnestly fulfill special and primary responsibilities in nuclear disarmament, make drastic and substantive cuts to its nuclear arsenal, and create conditions for other countries with nuclear weapons to join the nuclear disarmament process.

Lin pointed out that Chinese government recently released a White Paper titled "China's Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation in the New Era" which comprehensively elaborates China's nuclear policy and position on arms control. China steadfastly follows a policy of "no first use" of nuclear weapons and a nuclear strategy that focuses on self-defense. China always keeps its nuclear strength at the minimum level required by national security, and never engages in nuclear arms race with any country. 

China has been actively participating in the review process of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and P5 mechanism meetings, and maintains dialogue with all parties on issues related to nuclear arms control, Lin noted. 

Global Times