Official Chinese government announcements or credible international arms control reports

China Condemns 182-Page Pentagon Report, Labels US Global Security Threat Amid 600 Warheads Claim

Dec 23, 2024, 12:32 AM

China has strongly criticized a recent 182-page Pentagon report on its military and security developments, accusing the United States of misrepresenting its defense policies and exaggerating the so-called 'China threat.' Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang condemned the report, describing it as filled with false narratives and an attempt to justify U.S. military expansion. The report highlighted China's rapid nuclear arsenal growth, with over 600 warheads in 2024 and projections of 1,000 by 2030. Beijing defended its nuclear strategy as defensive, adhering to a no-first-use policy, and criticized the U.S. for its first-use nuclear stance and military interventions globally. The Chinese ministry labeled the U.S. as the 'biggest threat to global security,' citing its confrontational military strategies and actions, including arms sales to Taiwan and interference in China's domestic affairs. The Pentagon report also alleged corruption within the People's Liberation Army, raising concerns about its impact on China's military modernization. Beijing has called for the U.S. to adopt a more rational approach to bilateral relations and military engagement.