China demands withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from Europe

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning has stated that Chinese authorities have condemned what they view as violations of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) by the United States, demanding the withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from Europe.

"Deploying US nuclear weapons in NATO member states that do not possess them and enabling their delivery by the aircraft of these states constitutes a clear breach of the treaty. China insists that the relevant countries must remove their substantial nuclear arsenals from Europe," Mao said during a briefing, Caliber.Az reports citing the Russian media.

Mao also urged nations violating the NPT to "abandon Cold War mentalities and zero-sum games," and she expressed concern over the potential transfer of nuclear weapons to the Asia-Pacific region, calling such actions unacceptable.

Mao Ning emphasized that the US violations of the NPT could encourage other countries to replicate such actions, potentially jeopardizing global nuclear arms control efforts.

"This behavior could significantly undermine the nuclear arms control process, increase the risk of nuclear conflict, and threaten global strategic stability," she warned.

She reaffirmed that the NPT is the "cornerstone" of international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, with China "firmly supporting" the treaty. Established in 1968, the NPT recognized the nuclear arsenals of China, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Russia, while prohibiting other signatories from developing or acquiring weapons of mass destruction. Over 190 countries are party to the agreement, though Israel, India, and Pakistan are not, and North Korea withdrew from the treaty in January 2003.