China Marks 60 Years Since First Nuclear Test: Calls For No-First-Use Declaration

On the 60th anniversary of the country's first atomic bomb test, China reiterated its call for nuclear-weapons nations to make a declaration on no-first-use of nukes. This significant milestone reflects China's ongoing commitment to nuclear disarmament and strategic stability in the international arena. During a regular press conference in Beijing, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, emphasized the importance of this policy in enhancing mutual trust, advancing the nuclear disarmament process, and promoting global stability.

On October 16, 1964, China conducted its first nuclear weapons test at the Lop Nur testing site in Xinjiang, marking a pivotal moment in its military history. Following the successful detonation of the atomic bomb, the Chinese government made a bold declaration, stating that "China will never at any time or under any circumstances be the first to use nuclear weapons." This commitment has been a cornerstone of China's nuclear policy ever since.

Mao's remarks are part of a broader dialogue on nuclear policy, as she noted that her statement marks the second nuclear declaration from China this month. Earlier, Sun Xiaobo, the director general of the Department of Arms Control under the Chinese Foreign Ministry, urged nuclear-armed nations to commit to a no-first-use policy. This reiteration of commitment comes on the heels of a rare publicized test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the Chinese military on September 25, which has the capability to reach most of the continental United States.

China, one of the nine nuclear-armed countries, has not disclosed the size of its nuclear arsenal. However, U.S. military estimates suggest that China possessed over 500 nuclear warheads in 2023, with projections indicating that this number could exceed 1,000 by 2030. The Pentagon has noted that the People's Republic of China (PRC) will continue to modernize and expand its nuclear forces rapidly in the coming years.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China has the third-largest military nuclear stockpile in the world as of January. The report states, "China is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country," a fact that raises international security concerns. In contrast, Russia holds the largest nuclear arsenal with an estimated 4,380 warheads, while the U.S. stockpile consists of 3,748 warheads as of September last year.

The no-first-use policy has emerged as an "important consensus and priority" within the realm of international arms control, according to Mao. She indicated that China has submitted a working paper on mutual no-first-use of nuclear weapons to the NPT Review Conference. The NPT, or Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament globally.

"China stands ready to work with other parties to continuously strive toward the goal of complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons," Mao stated. However, the proposal has faced skepticism from the U.S., which has expressed concerns about the practical implementation of a no-first-use treaty and has criticized China's rapid and opaque nuclear buildup.

Additionally, in July, China announced it had ceased discussions with the U.S. regarding potential nuclear weapons limitations, a decision influenced by the ongoing tensions over U.S. support for Taiwan, an island that China considers a part of its territory. This complicated geopolitical landscape continues to shape the discourse surrounding nuclear policy and international security.