BEIJING (CHINA) – A senior Chinese diplomat said on Wednesday that Beijing would take part in trilateral arms control discussions with the US and Russia only if Washington expressed willingness to reduce its nuclear arsenal to China’s level.
Washington has repeatedly invited Beijing to be a part of the trialteral talks to extend New START, which is a nuclear arms agreement between the US and Russia. It is due to expire in February.
Fu Cong, who heads the arms control department of Chinese foreign ministry, told the media that China has no interest in joining the negotiation as the US nuclear weapons arsenal is 20 times the size of China’s.
“I can assure you, if the U.S. says that they are ready to come down to the Chinese level, China would be happy to participate the next day,” he said. “But actually, we know that’s not going to happen.”
Fu said that US inviting China to take part in the negotiations is “nothing but a ploy to divert attention” and an excuse for the US to walk away from extending New START.
“The real purpose is to get rid of all restrictions and have a free hand in seeking military superiority over any adversary, real or imagined,” said Fu.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field