China has firmly dismissed suggestions that it participate in trilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations with the United States and Russia, calling the proposal "neither reasonable nor realistic." The statement came from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a Wednesday press briefing, responding to recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about potential arms reduction discussions.
Guo emphasized that countries with the largest nuclear arsenals – a clear reference to the U.S. and Russia – must take the lead in disarmament efforts. "The nation possessing the world's biggest nuclear arsenal should fulfill its primary responsibility by making drastic, substantive cuts," he stated, adding that such actions would pave the way for global nuclear abolition.
The spokesperson highlighted stark differences in nuclear capabilities and policies, noting China's arsenal is "by no means on the same level" as that of the U.S. He reiterated China's long-standing "no first use" doctrine and commitment to maintaining only the minimum nuclear strength required for national defense. "We never engage in arms races," Guo asserted, positioning China's approach as a stabilizing force for international security.
Analysts suggest China's stance reflects broader strategic calculations amid evolving global power dynamics. With U.S.-Russia nuclear stockpiles accounting for over 90% of the world's total, according to SIPRI estimates, Beijing appears determined to resist pressure while positioning itself as a responsible actor advocating for gradual multilateral disarmament.
