**China Calls for Reduction in US and Russia’s Nuclear Stockpiles**
China has asked the United States and Russia to reduce their nuclear stockpiles before Beijing considers joining disarmament talks. China made this request on January 28, citing that the two countries hold nearly 90 percent of the world’s nuclear weapons.
In a statement, China’s foreign ministry said that the US and Russia should “conscientiously fulfill their special responsibilities for nuclear disarmament.” The ministry added that these countries must further reduce their nuclear arsenals to create conditions for other nuclear-armed states to join the disarmament process.
**US and Russia Nuclear Stockpiles**
According to estimates, the United States possesses 3,708 nuclear warheads, while Russia has 4,380. China has a significantly smaller number of nuclear warheads with around 500.
**Background on Disarmament Talks**
US President Donald Trump previously proposed trilateral disarmament talks involving the US, Russia, and China. However, relations between the US and Russia have deteriorated since then, and Russia withdrew from the last remaining arms control agreement with Washington in 2023.
China has consistently declined US invitations to join disarmament talks with Russia. Beijing claims to support disarmament in principle but maintains that its nuclear arsenal is solely for “self-defense” and at a minimum level required for national security.
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