Beijing has sharply criticized Washington following reports of a classified directive from U.S. President Joe Biden instructing American forces to prepare for potential “coordinated nuclear confrontations” involving Russia, China, and North Korea. The directive, reportedly approved in March, has sparked concern and condemnation from Chinese officials.
Mao Ning, spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, responded to the reports by accusing the U.S. of exaggerating the so-called “China nuclear threat.” In a statement, Mao described the U.S. actions as an attempt to deflect responsibility for nuclear disarmament while seeking to expand its own nuclear arsenal and gain overwhelming strategic superiority.
The directive in question, which is part of a document revised approximately every four years, is highly classified, with no electronic copies available. Only a select number of hard copies have been distributed to key national security officials and Pentagon leaders. The New York Times reported that while the document remains classified, recent speeches by senior administration officials have hinted at its contents, with a more detailed and unclassified update to Congress expected before the end of Biden’s term.
The Pentagon has expressed concerns that China’s nuclear arsenal could match the size and diversity of U.S. and Russian stockpiles within the next decade. However, Mao refuted these claims, asserting that China’s nuclear capabilities are not on par with those of the U.S. She emphasized that China maintains a policy of not using nuclear weapons first and adheres to a self-defense strategy, with no intention of engaging in an arms race.
Beijing, Mao added, is committed to keeping its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level necessary for national security, underscoring China’s stance against any escalation in nuclear armament.–News Desk