China has rejected a U.S. proposal for nuclear disarmament negotiations, saying it does not currently need to participate in such talks.
The response follows comments from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said that any agreement on limiting nuclear weapons should include the U.S., Russia, and China. Beijing described this expectation as “unreasonable and unrealistic,” pointing out that its nuclear arsenal is far smaller than those of the two leading nuclear powers.
“Countries holding the largest nuclear stockpiles, like the U.S., should take primary responsibility for disarmament,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning during a press briefing.
China also criticized the Pentagon’s plan to allocate an additional $12 billion for monitoring Chinese military activities, including submarines and satellites. Ning argued that such measures heighten tensions and undermine peace in the Asia-Pacific region.
On regional conflicts, China expressed concern over escalating clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The ministry urged both nations to exercise restraint, resolve differences through dialogue, and prevent further suffering. “China has been mediating through its channels and remains ready to help de-escalate tensions,” Ning said.
Echoing these concerns, Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned against continued confrontation between the two countries and called for a return to diplomatic negotiations.
