At the ongoing 11th NPT Review Conference, China’s envoys delivered a blistering assessment of US policies on April 29, framing America as the chief disruptor of nuclear stability. From Beijing’s perspective, the past 20 years paint a picture of deliberate US retreat from vital treaties.
Key examples include the ABM Treaty pullout, INF Treaty termination, Open Skies abandonment, and the lapse of New START. These moves, according to China, have eroded the foundations of international arms control, injecting uncertainty into global security dynamics.
The Chinese statement directly countered a recent US speech that distorted China’s positions on nuclear matters and levied baseless attacks on its defense strategies. ‘We firmly oppose such smears,’ they declared, demanding the US respond to widespread global apprehensions.
On another front, the delegation spotlighted Japan, asserting that since Sanae Takaichi took office, its nuclear issue has evolved from potential risk to immediate peril. This development poses profound threats to postwar international structures and non-proliferation mechanisms.
To address this, China presented a detailed working document for review. They advocated for thorough conference deliberations aimed at bolstering monitoring of Japan’s atomic pursuits. As discussions unfold, this intervention highlights deepening geopolitical rifts and the urgent call for renewed commitment to NPT principles.
