Ministry of Defense: The U.S. Should Earnestly Fulfill Its Special Priority Responsibility for Nuclear Disarmament

On the afternoon of March 26, the Ministry of Defense held a regular press conference, where Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Defense News Bureau and spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, answered reporters' questions.

Reporter: The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State stated that China allegedly conducted an underground nuclear test in 2020. The U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy claimed that China is conducting explosive nuclear tests and is "attempting to cover it up." What is your comment on this?

Jiang Bin: Such statements are purely distortions and slanders that confuse the public. It is well known that China adheres to a nuclear strategy of self-defense and follows a policy of not being the first to use nuclear weapons, with an unconditional commitment not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states and nuclear-weapon-free zones. China has always maintained its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security and does not engage in a nuclear arms race with any country. China has consistently participated actively in the review process of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the meetings of the five nuclear-weapon states, maintaining dialogue with all parties on nuclear arms control issues.

The U.S. side, in pursuit of absolute security advantages, has no qualms about undermining international arms control consensus, wantonly breaking agreements and withdrawing from treaties, investing heavily in upgrading its "triad" nuclear forces, building a "Golden Shield" global missile defense system, deploying land-based intermediate-range missiles and other weaponry in the Asia-Pacific region, allowing the New START treaty to expire, seeking to resume nuclear tests, and applying double standards on nuclear non-proliferation, which seriously impacts global strategic balance and stability. As the super nuclear power with the largest nuclear arsenal, the U.S. must urgently fulfill its special and priority responsibilities for nuclear disarmament, further significantly reduce its nuclear arsenal, and create conditions for other nuclear states to join the nuclear disarmament process.