China vows to stick to 'no first use' nuclear policy

China says it is firmly committed to its policy of not using nuclear weapons first, and has denounced a report by the military of the United States on China's alleged plan to triple its nuclear arsenal by 2035.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Chinese Defense Ministry stressed that Beijing would not "at any time and under any circumstances" violate its own nuclear policy.

"The United States is making accusations and speculations about the modernization of China's nuclear forces, when in fact it is the one that should deeply review and reflect on its own nuclear policy," said China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Tan Kefei.

"What needs to be emphasized is that China firmly pursues the nuclear strategy of self-defense and defense, always adheres to the policy of no first use of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances, and maintains its nuclear force at the minimum level required for national security," Tan said.

Last week, the US Department of Defense released its annual China Military Power Report, claiming that China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) would likely increase its nuclear arsenal to 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035, accusing Beijing of not being clear on how it might use them.

That figure would still not be comparable to the nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia, each of which have several thousand nuclear warheads.

In its report, the Pentagon further accused China of adopting "more dangerous, coercive and aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific region."

Tan also said that the Pentagon's report "distorts China's national defense policy and military strategy, makes groundless speculation about China's military development and grossly interferes in China's internal affairs on the issue of Taiwan."

He further denounced the US for being the "biggest troublemaker and destroyer of world peace and stability," reiterating that Beijing had never renounced the use of force to conquer self-ruled Chinese Taipei.

China has sovereignty over Taipei, and under the internationally-recognized "one-China" policy, nearly all countries recognize that sovereignty, meaning that they would not establish diplomatic contact with its secessionist government.

The US, too, professes adherence to the principle, but in violation of its own stated policy and in an attempt to irritate Beijing, Washington courts the secessionist government in Taipei, supports its anti-China stance, and supplies it with massive amounts of armaments.

Beijing slams Pentagon report calling China leading security threat

China’s Defense Ministry says Beijing has reacted to a report by the Pentagon’s Center for National Strategy.

Tan blamed the US for escalating nuclear tensions, particularly through a deal with Australia to help it build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, which French President Emanuel Macron has described as a "confrontation with China."

Earlier, in October, the Chinese ambassador for disarmament affairs, Li Song, had told a United Nations General Assembly First Committee session on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons that Beijing would not, under any circumstances, violate its no first use nuclear weapons policy.

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