WSJ "US and China Hold Nuclear Arms Control Talks Ahead of Summit"

Possibility of Nuclear Disarmament Talks on the 6th in Washington, USA

The United States is reportedly preparing for nuclear arms reduction talks with China for the first time since the presidency of Barack Obama.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing U.S. administration officials, reported this news. The report stated that on the 6th, the U.S. government will meet with China in Washington to discuss nuclear arms reduction, including arms control, non-proliferation, and ways to reduce the risk of miscalculation.

The scene of the United States and China discussing the Ukraine crisis and North Korean nuclear issue last year [Image source=Yonhap News]

WSJ evaluated that although this meeting is not an official negotiation for nuclear arms reduction, it could be an opportunity for the U.S. to confirm China’s nuclear capabilities and policies. The U.S. has signed nuclear arms reduction agreements with Russia, another nuclear power, but has never concluded such agreements with China.

WSJ also explained that this meeting is taking place amid concerns about China strengthening its nuclear strategy in a political environment where further nuclear force enhancement is difficult. Attention was also drawn to the fact that this event is held as the two countries prepare for a summit scheduled for the end of this month.

Tong Zhao, a researcher at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) in China, forecasted that if meetings like this continue and become regularized, substantive discussions could emerge. However, he noted that since this meeting is held ahead of the summit, expectations for the meeting itself are low.

Meanwhile, WSJ reported that the Joe Biden administration is also attempting arms reduction negotiations with Russia. Russia declared in February that it would suspend participation in the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with the U.S. WSJ stated that the U.S. has proposed negotiations to Russia but has not yet received a response.

New START is a treaty signed by the U.S. and Russia in 2010 that limits deployed nuclear warheads to 1,550. It also stipulates reducing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and strategic bombers to fewer than 700 units.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.