China urges U.S. to reduce its nuclear arsenal substantively

China on Thursday urged the U.S. to cut back its nuclear arsenal “substantively” and stop proliferation of nuclear supplies and know-how.

Beijing additionally referred to as upon Washington to “refrain from extending nuclear deterrence or expanding a nuclear alliance,” state media reported.

Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, mentioned Beijing “firmly” opposes Washington’s “expansion” of its nuclear arsenal and shirking of its nuclear disarmament obligations beneath the pretext of a non-existent “China nuclear threat,” Xinhua news company reported.

Wu mentioned his nation pursues a “self-defense nuclear strategy” and maintains its nuclear power on the minimal degree required for nationwide safety.

“It is common knowledge that the U.S. is in possession of the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, and that it follows a nuclear policy that permits the first use of nuclear weapons,” he was quoted as saying the news company.

In latest years, he mentioned, Washington has “invested heavily in the miniaturization of nuclear weapons for real combat and exercised double standards on nuclear proliferation, which is a severe threat to global strategic stability.”