China has decided to halt nuclear-arms-control talks with the United States due to Washington’s arms sales to Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory. This move is seen as a setback to global arms-control efforts, with China now joining Russia in refusing to discuss measures to curb a nuclear-arms race. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that the repeated U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have made it difficult to continue discussions on arms control. The U.S. State Department expressed disappointment in China’s decision, citing the importance of managing strategic risks and preventing costly arms races.
The Biden administration has advocated for compartmentalizing nuclear-arms-control talks from other contentious issues in Sino-U.S. relations. The decision comes after the U.S. expressed concerns about China’s rapid nuclear weapons build-up. Despite resuming discussions in November, formal arms-control negotiations were not expected, given China’s reluctance to engage in reducing nuclear weapons risks.
China is estimated to have 500 operational nuclear warheads, with plans to exceed 1,000 by 2030. The U.S., on the other hand, has around 3,700 nuclear warheads in its stockpile. The U.S. remains Taiwan’s primary international supporter, supplying arms despite not having formal diplomatic ties. Taiwan has raised concerns about increased Chinese military activities near its territory, including frequent missions by Chinese warplanes and warships. China has demanded that the U.S. cease arms sales to Taiwan, adding to the tensions in the region.
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