In a recent press conference, Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, called on the United States to take the lead in reducing its nuclear arsenal and military expenditure. Responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for nuclear arms control talks with China and Russia and his suggestion to cut the three countries’ defense budgets by half, Wu emphasized the U.S.’s responsibility as the holder of the world’s largest nuclear arsenal.
“The United States should put ‘America First’ into practice and be the first to cut its nuclear arsenal and military expenditure,” Wu stated. He highlighted that U.S. defense spending has topped the world for many years and exceeds that of the next eight countries combined.
Wu reiterated China’s commitment to a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons and a self-defensive nuclear strategy. He assured that China maintains its nuclear strength at the minimum level required for national security.
