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New START expiry risks global nuclear stability, China urges US–Russia dialogue

By The South Asia Times

BEIJING - China on Thursday warned that the expiration of the New START nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia could undermine global strategic stability, calling the development “regrettable” and urging Washington to re-engage Moscow in talks on nuclear arms control.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing that the treaty had played a critical role in maintaining the international nuclear disarmament system, and its lapse has raised widespread concern within the international community about negative consequences for the global nuclear order.

Lin said China remains “extremely prudent and responsible” on the issue of nuclear weapons, stressing that Beijing follows a defensive nuclear strategy. He reiterated China’s policy of no first use of nuclear weapons and its unconditional commitment not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones.

China maintains its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security and has no intention of engaging in an arms race with any country, he added. Beijing consistently advocates that nuclear disarmament should follow the principles of safeguarding strategic stability and ensuring undiminished security for all.

The spokesperson underscored that China’s nuclear arsenal is not on the same level as those of the United States and Russia, the two largest nuclear powers, and said China will therefore not participate in nuclear disarmament negotiations at the current stage.

Lin also referred to Russia’s proposal that Moscow and Washington continue to observe the treaty’s central limits even after its expiration, calling on the United States to respond positively and resume dialogue with Russia on strategic stability.

The New START treaty, which expired on Thursday, was the last remaining bilateral agreement capping US and Russian strategic nuclear weapons, and its end has heightened fears of weakened arms control and a potential new nuclear competition.