Beijing said the U.S. „is undermining nuclear disarmament“ after comments by a White House official about increasing deployment.
China has accused the U.S. of undermining nuclear disarmament and should „reflect on its behavior“ regarding nonproliferation.
The criticism by the Chinese embassy in the U.S. was in response to a senior White House aide that Washington may have to deploy more strategic nuclear weapons in future to deter the threats of Russia, China and other adversaries.
National Security Council arms control official Pranay Vaddi told the Arms Control Association on Friday that the U.S. may reach a point „in the coming years where an increase from current deployed numbers is required,“ Reuters reported.
„We need to be fully prepared to execute if the president makes that decision,“ Vaddi said, adding that „more nuclear weapons are required to deter our adversaries and protect the American people and our allies and partners.“
Vaddi said that the U.S. is committed to international arms control and non-proliferation regimes but Russia, China and North Korea „are all expanding and diversifying their nuclear arsenals at a breakneck pace.
