China Makes Demands For U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy Changes

By: Sam Watanuki | Published: Jul 24, 2024

China has demanded significant changes to U.S. nuclear weapons policy, a move coming after Beijing suspended arms control talks with Washington concerning Taiwan.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has urged the U.S. to adopt a no-first-use policy and ditch its nuclear umbrella in Europe and Asia, sparking international debate and concerns.

The NPT Conference

On July 12, China submitted two working papers to the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference. These papers advocate for a no-first-use policy on nuclear weapons.

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A color photo of the first nuclear test explosion from the Manhattan Project. The background is black, and the explosions consist of a cloud of red, orange, and yellow.

Source: Jack W. Aeby/Wikimedia Commons

China’s proposals aim to encourage the five nuclear-armed states to commit to not using nuclear weapons first, under any circumstances, so as to prevent nuclear war.

China's Justification

China’s working papers highlight that a nuclear war would bring “huge disasters” to humanity.

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Cityscape in China with several restaurants, stores, and pedestrians

Source: Freepik

Despite advocating for disarmament, China includes a provision allowing withdrawal from the proposed treaty if “extraordinary events” jeopardize its supreme interests, which raises questions about the commitment to a no-first-use policy.

Transparency and Disarmament

The U.S. has called for greater transparency in nuclear arsenals. On July 12, Adam Scheinman, the U.S. special representative for nuclear nonproliferation, highlighted China’s nuclear expansion and reluctance to engage in arms control.

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A photograph of the White House

Source: Wikimedia

The U.S. recently declassified its nuclear stockpile information, emphasizing the need for openness in nonproliferation efforts.

The Taiwan Factor

China’s decision to suspend nuclear talks with the U.S. stems from American arms sales to Taiwan, considered a breakaway province by Beijing.

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Experts Claim China’s AI Swarms Have Ability to Tackle US Drone ‘Hellscape’ in Taiwan

Source: Canva/Picryl

This action, taken on July 17, shows the tensions between the two countries over Taiwan, which the U.S. supports in its defense capabilities.

The Nuclear Umbrella

China’s second working paper criticizes the practice of nuclear sharing and extended deterrence. While not naming the U.S. explicitly, it is clear that Beijing refers to American nuclear arrangements with NATO, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.

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Castle Bravo nuclear test showing a massive explosion with ringed clouds around it in the sky above cloud cover.

United States Department of Energy/Wikimedia Commons

These arrangements are seen as a threat to global nuclear disarmament efforts.

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Nuclear Sharing Criticism

China argues that nuclear sharing diminishes nonnuclear states’ willingness to build nuclear-weapon-free zones.

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Fencing denoting the presence of nuclear energy nearby.

Source: Dan Meyers/Unsplash

The U.S. has about 100 tactical nuclear bombs in Europe as part of NATO’s collective defense strategy. This arrangement involves certified non-U.S. fighter jets that could carry out nuclear strikes if necessary, emphasizing nuclear deterrence.

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Russia's Role

Russia’s deployment of tactical nukes in Belarus last year, a countermeasure to NATO’s support for Ukraine, adds another layer to the nuclear tension.

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The Moscow Kremlin. The walls are red with turrets that have a green top. The building is white, with a green roof and gold on top. It is positioned next to the water.

Source: Vyacheslav Argenberg/Wikimedia Commons

While China stressed the importance of avoiding nuclear war, it didn’t condemn Russia’s move either, reflecting the geopolitical complexities at play.

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Calls for No-First-Use Commitment

Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, criticized the P5 for expanding their nuclear arsenals.

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A sign in a field with a nuclear symbol on it.

Source: Killian Karger/Unsplash

He urged the P5 to negotiate a joint commitment not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons and to agree that none will be the first to use them

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Impact on Global Security

The escalating tensions between the U.S. and China over nuclear policies and Taiwan highlight the urgent need for renewed dialogue and genuine commitments to disarmament.

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Lawyer fills out paperwork on a desk with a judges gavel beside him

Source: Freepik

The potential for nuclear conflict shows the importance of strategic stability and transparent communication among nuclear-armed states.

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China's Strategic Ambiguity

China has never disclosed the size of its nuclear arsenal, estimated at about 500 warheads by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

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A map of the world zoomed in on China with a blue push-pin

Source: Freeimageslive

This undoubtedly strategic ambiguity complicates disarmament efforts and fuels mistrust between nuclear-armed states, particularly between the U.S. and China.

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Future Prospects

As the world watches these developments, the stakes remain high.

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Black-and-white photo of the atomic cloud during the Baker nuclear test at Bikini Atoll in July 1946. A huge mushroom cloud rises out of the ocean.

U.S. Navy/Wikimedia Commons

The potential for nuclear conflict, particularly over flashpoints like Taiwan, shows the need for renewed dialogue.

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