Nuclear

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: China's Nuclear Forces Are an Indispensable Force for Deterring Nuclear War

外交部：中国核力量是慑止核战争不可或缺的力量

PLA Daily (解放军报) 30 July 2026

Summary

At a July 30 press conference, MFA spokesperson Mao Ning reaffirmed China's 自卫防御核战略 (self-defensive nuclear strategy), no-first-use policy, and unconditional negative security assurances on the 30th anniversary of China's nuclear testing moratorium and the CTBT's conclusion. The framing positions China's nuclear posture as restrained and stabilizing at a moment when U.S. and allied pressure over PLA nuclear expansion is intensifying, making this standard MFA messaging worth reading as a record of how Beijing publicly frames its doctrine against that backdrop. What remains unknown is whether the reiteration of 'minimum level required for national security' is intended to address — or deflect — specific foreign assessments of ongoing warhead and delivery system growth.

Translation

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, July 30 (Reporters Ma Zhuoyan and Wu Mengtong) — This year marks the 30th anniversary of the conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and July 29 is the 30th anniversary of China's announcement of a moratorium on nuclear testing. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning, responding to questions at a regular press conference on July 30, stated that China has always practiced a self-defensive nuclear strategy (自卫防御核战略), and that China's nuclear forces are an indispensable force for deterring nuclear war, safeguarding world peace and security, and maintaining global strategic stability.

Mao Ning said that 30 years ago, the Chinese government solemnly announced to the entire world a moratorium on nuclear testing, which both responded to the demands of the vast majority of non-nuclear-weapon states and made a historic contribution to the ultimate conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, powerfully advancing the international nuclear arms control process.

Mao Ning stated that over the past 30 years, China has consistently honored its commitment to the "moratorium on nuclear testing" and has actively supported international efforts to ban nuclear testing. As one of the first countries to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, China firmly supports the treaty's purposes and objectives, supports the treaty's early entry into force, supports capacity-building for developing countries, actively advances domestic implementation and preparatory work, and has made important contributions to upholding the treaty's universality and authority.

"China's nuclear policy maintains a high degree of stability, continuity, and predictability. China has always advocated the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, adheres to a policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons, and has unconditionally committed not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states and nuclear-weapon-free zones." Mao Ning said.

Mao Ning stated that China has always practiced a self-defensive nuclear strategy (自卫防御核战略), maintains its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security, and does not participate in any form of nuclear arms race. China's nuclear forces are an indispensable force for deterring nuclear war, safeguarding world peace and security, and maintaining global strategic stability.

Original Chinese

新华社北京7月30日电（记者马卓言、吴梦桐）今年是《全面禁止核试验条约》达成30周年，7月29日是中国宣布暂停核试验30周年纪念日。外交部发言人毛宁30日在例行记者会上答问时表示，中国始终践行自卫防御核战略，中国核力量是慑止核战争、维护世界和平安全与全球战略稳定不可或缺的力量。毛宁说，30年前，中国政府郑重向全世界宣布暂停核试验，既响应了广大无核武器国家要求，也为最终达成《全面禁止核试验条约》做出历史性贡献，有力推动国际核军控进程。毛宁表示，30年来，中国始终恪守“暂停核试验”承诺，积极支持国际禁核试努力。作为首批签署《全面禁止核试验条约》的国家之一，中国坚定支持条约宗旨和目标，支持条约早日生效，支持发展中国家能力建设，积极推进国内履约筹备工作，为维护条约普遍性、权威性做出重要贡献。 “中国核政策保持高度稳定性、连续性和可预见性，始终倡导全面禁止和彻底销毁核武器，奉行不首先使用核武器政策，无条件承诺不对无核武器国家和无核武器区使用或威胁使用核武器。”毛宁说。毛宁表示，中国始终践行自卫防御核战略，将核力量维持在国家安全需要的最低水平，不参加任何形式的核军备竞赛。中国核力量是慑止核战争、维护世界和平安全与全球战略稳定不可或缺的力量。