China does not plan to participate in arms control talks between Russia and the United States, despite the country’s commitment to efforts in the field of global strategic stability, the Foreign Ministry said.
“China has repeatedly said that we do not intend to join the so-called trilateral arms control negotiations between Russia, China and the United States, and this position is quite clear”, – Zhao Lijiang, thw official spokesman for the department, said.
In order to create conditions for the participation of third countries in disarmament negotiations, the Chinese Foreign Ministry called on the United States to “first respond to calls by the Russian side to extend START III (the treaty on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. – ed.), as well as reduce its nuclear arsenal”.
Beijing also reaffirmed its commitment to defensive military policy and peaceful development and its lack of intention to engage in an arms race.
“I would like to emphasize that non-participation in trilateral talks does not mean that China does not participate in international efforts for nuclear disarmament”, – the representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized.
He also added that China will continue to cooperate with all parties within the existing international mechanisms for global strategic stability.
Earlier, Reuters, citing a source in the US administration, wrote that US President Donald Trump intends to discuss arms control at a meeting with leaders of Russia, China, the UK and France.
National Security Assistant Trump Robert O’Brien at the same time did not rule out “serious negotiations” with Russia and China on nuclear arms reduction.