China's Nuclear Stance: Beijing Pledges Minimal Arsenal, Rejects Arms Race with US, Opposes Missile Deployments

China Affirms Minimal Nuclear Arsenal, Opposes Arms Race and US Missile Deployments

Beijing has reiterated its long-standing commitment to maintaining a minimal nuclear arsenal, unequivocally stating its refusal to engage in a nuclear arms race and its opposition to the United States' deployment of offensive missiles in Asia. These declarations come from China's latest white paper on nuclear policy, titled “China’s Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation in the New Era,” which updates a previous version from 2005.

Core Principles of China's Nuclear Policy

The document, released recently, underscores China's consistent stance on keeping its nuclear forces at the lowest level deemed essential for national security. A cornerstone of Beijing's approach is its “no first-use” nuclear policy, a pledge that commits China to never be the first to employ nuclear weapons in a conflict. Furthermore, the nation has unequivocally promised to refrain from using nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states or within designated nuclear-free zones under any circumstances.

Critique of Regional Deterrence and US Actions

While carefully avoiding direct naming, the white paper implicitly criticizes certain nations for escalating deterrence in the Asia-Pacific region and adjusting their nuclear policies in ways that pose a significant threat to global security. This critique aligns with earlier concerns expressed by China regarding what it perceives as destabilizing actions.

The updated policy document also specifically references previous criticisms of systems like Trump’s planned "Golden Dome" system, warning that such initiatives would "pose a serious threat to outer space security." This highlights China's broader concern about the militarization of space and the potential for new fronts in strategic competition.

Context and Future Implications

The release of this white paper provides crucial insight into China's strategic thinking at a time of heightened global tensions. By reaffirming its defensive nuclear posture and its opposition to an arms race, Beijing seeks to project an image of responsibility while clearly delineating its red lines concerning regional security and military deployments. The document serves as a significant update to its disarmament and non-proliferation policies, offering a contemporary framework for understanding China's role in the evolving international security landscape.