China reaffirms peaceful development path, rejects nuclear arms race

Beijing maintains its nuclear arsenal at the minimum level necessary for national security, according to Liu Pengyu, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington.

His comments came in response to US President Donald Trump's recent remarks on potential nuclear arms reductions involving Russia, the US, and China.

In a statement to Russian media on January 23, Liu emphasized that China follows a peaceful development path and is committed to fostering friendly cooperation with all countries, per Caliber.Az.

He explained that China’s nuclear weapons development was a historic decision made to address a specific period of nuclear threat, to break the nuclear monopoly, and to prevent nuclear war.

“We adhere to the policy of no first use of nuclear weapons, follow a self-defense strategy, and always maintain our nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security,” Liu stated. “We will never engage in an arms race with any country.”

Trump, speaking via video at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 23, expressed his desire to see reductions in nuclear arsenals from Russia, the US, and China, describing it as a “quite possible” outcome.

China's nuclear arsenal, which now exceeds 600 operational warheads, has seen significant growth in recent years. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China's stockpile increased from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 by January 2024, with expectations of further expansion. Projections suggest China’s arsenal could reach approximately 1,000 warheads by 2030.

This increase reflects the diversification of China’s nuclear capabilities, including the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and strategic bombers. Notably, China conducted a publicized ICBM test launch into the Pacific Ocean in September 2024, signalling its growing nuclear strength.

Despite these developments, China’s nuclear arsenal remains smaller than those of the United States and Russia. The country maintains its "no first use" policy and asserts that its nuclear forces are for deterrence rather than aggression.

By Tamilla Hasanova