China reiterates "no-first-use" of nuclear weapons pledge

SINGAPORE China remains true to its pledge that it will never use nuclear weapons first, deputy chief of the Chinese Army, Lt. Gen. Qi Jianguo, said in Singapore. He was delivering his speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-la Dialogue (IISS Asia Security Summit). China reiterates "no-first-use" of nuclear weapons pledge Military circles were stirred as a recently published white paper of the armed forces did not state the promise made 50 years ago. For this reason, speculations appeared that China had given up on the policy. "I want to officially announce that the Chinese government will never abandon its promise not to use nuclear weapons first," said Qi Jianguo. "We have adhered to this policy for half a century, and the facts prove that it is not only in the interests of the Chinese people, but also of people all over the world," said the Chinese general, according to an AFP report. He explained that the pledge was not listed in the white paper published in April as the document "did not go into the details." Having tested its first nuclear weapon in 1964, China has promised that in a conflict, it will never be the side to use nuclear weapons first. Beijing does not publish data on its nuclear arsenal, which, according to estimates, has about 200 pieces of operational nuclear weapons, mostly mounted on ballistic missiles. Lt. Gen. Qi Jianguo (Beta/AP, file) Tanjug

China reiterates "no-first-use" of nuclear weapons pledge

Military circles were stirred as a recently published white paper of the armed forces did not state the promise made 50 years ago. For this reason, speculations appeared that China had given up on the policy.

"I want to officially announce that the Chinese government will never abandon its promise not to use nuclear weapons first," said Qi Jianguo.

"We have adhered to this policy for half a century, and the facts prove that it is not only in the interests of the Chinese people, but also of people all over the world," said the Chinese general, according to an AFP report.

He explained that the pledge was not listed in the white paper published in April as the document "did not go into the details."

Having tested its first nuclear weapon in 1964, China has promised that in a conflict, it will never be the side to use nuclear weapons first.

Beijing does not publish data on its nuclear arsenal, which, according to estimates, has about 200 pieces of operational nuclear weapons, mostly mounted on ballistic missiles.