After the expiration of the US-Russia nuclear arms treaty on Thursday, China has declined invitations to participate in discussions aimed at establishing a new agreement. The lapse of the treaty ends longstanding limits on the number of nuclear warheads that the United States and Russia can deploy.
China stated it does not see a need to join the talks at this time, emphasizing its current nuclear policy and arsenal size. Meanwhile, the United States and Russia face increased pressure to negotiate new arms control measures amid growing global security concerns.
**Why this matters**
The end of the US-Russia treaty removes formal restrictions on the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals, raising the risk of an arms buildup. China’s decision not to engage in negotiations complicates efforts to create a broader, multilateral framework for nuclear arms control, which is seen as important for maintaining global strategic stability.
Source: NewsData