China Calls on US to Engage Russia After New START Treaty Expires
Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian emphasized that the treaty had played a key role in upholding the international nuclear disarmament framework and warned that its lapse could have “negative” consequences for the global nuclear order.
“China finds the expiration of the New START treaty between the US and Russia regrettable,” Lin said, adding that the agreement was “of great significance to uphold global strategic stability.”
Addressing concerns over nuclear weapons, Lin stressed that China remains “extremely prudent and responsible,” following a defensive nuclear strategy. He reiterated the country’s long-standing policy of no first use of nuclear weapons and its unconditional pledge not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones.
The statement comes as Russia has proposed that both Moscow and Washington continue to adhere to the treaty’s central limits even after its formal expiration. Beijing urged the United States to respond positively to the proposal and resume talks with Russia on strategic stability.
The New START treaty, which expired early Thursday, was the last remaining legally binding agreement restricting the strategic nuclear arsenals of the US and Russia, and its end raises concerns about a potential era of unregulated nuclear competition.
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