06:15Chinese military expert, Song Zhongping said the Beijing did not seek nuclear conflict but that any disagreements would 'harm both sides' - following reports of the first US-China informal nuclear talks in five years - during an interview in Beijing on Monday.
"From China's point of view, we will not easily provoke any country, including the United States. We want to live peacefully with the United States," Song stated.
Regarding the quality and quantity of China's nuclear arms, Zhongping noted that Beijing was not 'on the same level' with Russia and the US.
"We have made it very clear that if one day the United States and Russia reduce their nuclear weapons to a certain amount, which is comparable to ours, China is willing to join the arms control talks, but not yet," said Zhongping.
According to reports, China has around 500 warheads in total, while the US and Russia have 5,044 and 5,580, respectively. The Pentagon estimates that Beijing's nuclear stockpile rose by more than 20 percent between 2021 and 2023.
Zhongping also asked rhetorically: "Why does the United States want to build such a powerful nuclear arsenal?"
"It is to seek global hegemony, China is totally different. So if the United States wants China to reduce its nuclear weapons, China will talk to the US only when it reduces its own nuclear weapons arsenals in the first place," he added.
The military expert emphasised that China needs to possess some nuclear weapons to 'strengthen its nuclear triad' because the amount of arms owned by the US and Russia was 'constantly expanding'.
"But no matter what, [if threatened] China will join the nuclear arms race with nuclear superpowers - although it is not in line with China's actual needs," he concluded.
The Pentagon claimed in October that China might also contemplate using nuclear weapons to 'restore deterrence' if a conventional military defeat in Taiwan 'jeopardised' the Chinese Communist Party.
Responding, the military specialist said: "If the United States insists on going its own way on the Taiwan issue to provoke China's national security, China will certainly use all means to smash US interference in the Taiwan issue". He warned the US about being 'too confident' but added that there was no point in Beijing attacking Taiwan as it was their 'compatriot' and 'Taiwan is on China's doorstep'.
"On the one hand, they hope to defend China's Taiwan, meanwhile they do not want China to use nuclear weapons" said Zhongping, stressing that 'this is a paradox'.
"If you hurt China's national interests, our sovereignty, security, and development interests will be compromised or even seriously damaged by the United States, then the national security, sovereignty and development interests of the United States will inevitably be harmed. The harm is equal," the expert concluded.
According to Washington, Track Two nuclear arms talks took place last March. Beijing has not officially commented on the discussions.
'Harm will be equal' - Chinese military expert warns Washington against threatening Beijing following reports of nuclear talks
Chinese military expert, Song Zhongping said the Beijing did not seek nuclear conflict but that any disagreements would 'harm both sides' - following reports of the first US-China informal nuclear talks in five years - during an interview in Beijing on Monday.
"From China's point of view, we will not easily provoke any country, including the United States. We want to live peacefully with the United States," Song stated.
Regarding the quality and quantity of China's nuclear arms, Zhongping noted that Beijing was not 'on the same level' with Russia and the US.
"We have made it very clear that if one day the United States and Russia reduce their nuclear weapons to a certain amount, which is comparable to ours, China is willing to join the arms control talks, but not yet," said Zhongping.
According to reports, China has around 500 warheads in total, while the US and Russia have 5,044 and 5,580, respectively. The Pentagon estimates that Beijing's nuclear stockpile rose by more than 20 percent between 2021 and 2023.
Zhongping also asked rhetorically: "Why does the United States want to build such a powerful nuclear arsenal?"
"It is to seek global hegemony, China is totally different. So if the United States wants China to reduce its nuclear weapons, China will talk to the US only when it reduces its own nuclear weapons arsenals in the first place," he added.
The military expert emphasised that China needs to possess some nuclear weapons to 'strengthen its nuclear triad' because the amount of arms owned by the US and Russia was 'constantly expanding'.
"But no matter what, [if threatened] China will join the nuclear arms race with nuclear superpowers - although it is not in line with China's actual needs," he concluded.
The Pentagon claimed in October that China might also contemplate using nuclear weapons to 'restore deterrence' if a conventional military defeat in Taiwan 'jeopardised' the Chinese Communist Party.
Responding, the military specialist said: "If the United States insists on going its own way on the Taiwan issue to provoke China's national security, China will certainly use all means to smash US interference in the Taiwan issue". He warned the US about being 'too confident' but added that there was no point in Beijing attacking Taiwan as it was their 'compatriot' and 'Taiwan is on China's doorstep'.
"On the one hand, they hope to defend China's Taiwan, meanwhile they do not want China to use nuclear weapons" said Zhongping, stressing that 'this is a paradox'.
"If you hurt China's national interests, our sovereignty, security, and development interests will be compromised or even seriously damaged by the United States, then the national security, sovereignty and development interests of the United States will inevitably be harmed. The harm is equal," the expert concluded.
According to Washington, Track Two nuclear arms talks took place last March. Beijing has not officially commented on the discussions.
Chinese military expert, Song Zhongping said the Beijing did not seek nuclear conflict but that any disagreements would 'harm both sides' - following reports of the first US-China informal nuclear talks in five years - during an interview in Beijing on Monday.
"From China's point of view, we will not easily provoke any country, including the United States. We want to live peacefully with the United States," Song stated.
Regarding the quality and quantity of China's nuclear arms, Zhongping noted that Beijing was not 'on the same level' with Russia and the US.
"We have made it very clear that if one day the United States and Russia reduce their nuclear weapons to a certain amount, which is comparable to ours, China is willing to join the arms control talks, but not yet," said Zhongping.
According to reports, China has around 500 warheads in total, while the US and Russia have 5,044 and 5,580, respectively. The Pentagon estimates that Beijing's nuclear stockpile rose by more than 20 percent between 2021 and 2023.
Zhongping also asked rhetorically: "Why does the United States want to build such a powerful nuclear arsenal?"
"It is to seek global hegemony, China is totally different. So if the United States wants China to reduce its nuclear weapons, China will talk to the US only when it reduces its own nuclear weapons arsenals in the first place," he added.
The military expert emphasised that China needs to possess some nuclear weapons to 'strengthen its nuclear triad' because the amount of arms owned by the US and Russia was 'constantly expanding'.
"But no matter what, [if threatened] China will join the nuclear arms race with nuclear superpowers - although it is not in line with China's actual needs," he concluded.
The Pentagon claimed in October that China might also contemplate using nuclear weapons to 'restore deterrence' if a conventional military defeat in Taiwan 'jeopardised' the Chinese Communist Party.
Responding, the military specialist said: "If the United States insists on going its own way on the Taiwan issue to provoke China's national security, China will certainly use all means to smash US interference in the Taiwan issue". He warned the US about being 'too confident' but added that there was no point in Beijing attacking Taiwan as it was their 'compatriot' and 'Taiwan is on China's doorstep'.
"On the one hand, they hope to defend China's Taiwan, meanwhile they do not want China to use nuclear weapons" said Zhongping, stressing that 'this is a paradox'.
"If you hurt China's national interests, our sovereignty, security, and development interests will be compromised or even seriously damaged by the United States, then the national security, sovereignty and development interests of the United States will inevitably be harmed. The harm is equal," the expert concluded.
According to Washington, Track Two nuclear arms talks took place last March. Beijing has not officially commented on the discussions.