In a firm response to Washington's latest diplomatic push, China has dismissed renewed U.S. demands for its participation in trilateral nuclear arms control negotiations with Russia as “unfair, unreasonable, and unfeasible.” The statement comes amid heightened global security discussions in early 2026.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated China's longstanding position on Friday, February 27, 2026, stating: “Our nuclear arsenal remains at the minimum level required for national security – fundamentally different in scale from the massive stockpiles maintained by the U.S. and Russia.”
The renewed diplomatic tension follows recent U.S. efforts to expand existing bilateral arms control frameworks. Analysts note that while Russia and the U.S. collectively possess over 90% of the world's nuclear warheads, China maintains a significantly smaller strategic deterrent force.
“Rather than shifting responsibility,” Mao emphasized, “nuclear powers with the largest arsenals should take the lead in disarmament efforts.” This stance aligns with China's consistent advocacy for phased, multilateral nuclear reduction processes under the UN framework.
The development comes as global security analysts observe shifting power dynamics in Asia, with multiple nations modernizing defense capabilities while balancing economic priorities in the post-pandemic recovery era.
