On February 6, 2026, H.E. Mr. SHEN Jian, the Chinese Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs, elaborated on China’s positions on the issue of nuclear disarmament at a plenary meeting of the Conference on Disarmament.

SHEN stated that China follows a defensive nuclear strategy and a policy of “no first use” of nuclear weapons, and always maintains its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security, with no intention of engaging in nuclear arms race. Nuclear disarmament should abide by the principles of “maintaining global strategic stability” and “undiminished security for all”, and countries possessing the largest nuclear arsenals should continue to fulfill their special and primary responsibilities for nuclear disarmament. The New START Treaty is of great significance for maintaining global strategic stability. China calls on the US side to establish the concept of common and cooperative security, actively respond to Russia’s proposal, and handle the follow-up arrangement of the Treaty in a responsible manner.

SHEN pointed out that the US’s hype of the so-called “China’s nuclear arsenal expansion” is essentially an excuse to shift its own responsibility for nuclear disarmament and pursue nuclear hegemony, which is completely political manipulation.