China has no intention to take part in the so-called China-U.S.-Russia trilateral arms control negotiations, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian Friday.
China is willing to continue to work with all parties to strengthen communication and coordination under the framework of the existing multilateral mechanisms, Zhao told a press conference.
Zhao made the remarks when responding to U.S. statement on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) that it would propose a bold new trilateral arms control initiative with Russia and China to help avoid an expensive arms race and instead work together to build a better, safer and more prosperous future for all.
Zhao said China has repeatedly reiterated that it has no intention to join the so-called China-U.S.-Russia trilateral arms control negotiations, and its position on this issue is very clear.
Regarding the issue of nuclear disarmament, it is imperative that the United States responds to Russia's call for extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and further reduces its huge nuclear arsenal, which will create conditions for other nuclear-weapon states to join multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations.
Zhao said China has always pursued a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. China's nuclear power has always been maintained at the lowest level necessary for national security, which is not on the same order of magnitude as the huge nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia.
"China is committed to the path of peaceful development and has not and will not participate in any form of arms race," according to Zhao.
"China will not take part in the trilateral negotiations does not mean that China will not participate in international nuclear disarmament efforts," Zhao stressed, adding that China is ready to work with all parties to enhance communication and coordination within the framework of existing multilateral mechanisms including that among the five nuclear powers and discuss a wide range of issues concerning global strategic stability.
China has always been open to bilateral dialogues in the field of strategic security between China and the United States, and held that such dialogues are conducive to enhancing trust and clarifying misunderstandings and promoting the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations, Zhao noted.
"It is hoped that the U.S. side will stop its wrong words and deeds that harm China's interests, and create conditions for constructive dialogue between the two countries," he said.
