China currently sees no need to join the nuclear disarmament negotiations initiated by United States, its Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
Beijing was reacting to comments by Marco Rubio that any future deal to curb nuclear weapons should include the U.S., Russia, and China.
The Asian power maintained that it is “neither reasonable nor realistic” to expect it to participate in the talks, stressing that China’s nuclear capability “is by no means” comparable to that of the two leading nuclear states.
“Sitting on an enormous nuclear arsenal, the U.S. should fulfill its special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a briefing.
Beijing also responded to reports that the Pentagon plans to allocate an extra $12 billion toward monitoring Chinese military movements, submarines, and satellites as part of efforts to counter its regional buildup.
Ning said such a move would undermine regional peace and stability, arguing that Washington invokes the “so-called China threat” to justify expanding its military presence in the Asia-Pacific.
On tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, China warned that the situation has surpassed previous levels of intensity, cautioning that any prolonged conflict or escalation would cause serious harm to both sides.
Beijing urged Kabul and Islamabad to remain restrained, settle disputes through dialogue, and halt hostilities quickly to “avoid more suffering.”
“China has been mediating between the two sides via its own channels, and stands ready to continue playing a constructive role for de-escalation and the improvement of relations,” Ming assured.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also voiced worry over renewed clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces involving troops, air power, and heavy weaponry.
Its spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, called on the two countries to “abandon this dangerous confrontation” and resume negotiations to resolve their disputes through political and diplomatic means.