China has no intention to enter arms race, MFA says

China maintains its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security and has no intention of participating in an international arms race, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.

Operative Information Center-OMM reports that these remarks were made by Lin Jian, the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The spokesperson emphasized that Beijing's military strategy remains defensive in nature despite shifting global security dynamics.

Lin Jian noted that the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) expired on February 5. "China maintains its nuclear forces at the minimum level necessary for national security. China has no intention of entering into an arms race with any country," the spokesperson added during the briefing. Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is prepared to adhere to the treaty's limitations for one year following its expiration.

The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, known as New START, was the last remaining major nuclear arms control agreement between the world's two largest nuclear powers, the United States and Russia. The expiration of such frameworks has raised international concerns regarding global strategic stability. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has consistently advocated for nuclear disarmament and a "no first use" policy, positioning itself as a proponent of regional and global stability while modernizing its defense capabilities within a restricted strategic scope.