China adheres to path of peaceful development, does not engage in arms race with any country: FM spokesperson

In response to claims by the US that China is expanding its nuclear arsenal, including statements by US President-elect Donald Trump suggesting China might have more nukes than the US in the future, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized that as a responsible major country, China adheres to the path of peaceful development and strives for friendly cooperation with all nations. 

He said China's development of nuclear weapons started during a unique historical period as a necessary response to nuclear threats, to break nuclear monopolies, and to prevent nuclear war. "China was forced to make this historic decision," Guo added.

China follows a no-first-use policy on nuclear weapons, keeps maintaining a defensive nuclear strategy, and has always kept its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security. China does not engage in any arms race with other countries, said Guo.