China: US responsible for collapse of arms control talks

Beijing, (ST) – The Chinese Foreign Ministry held the US side fully responsible for suspending arms control talks with the US.

Commenting on some US officials’ accusations against China of refusing to engage in consultations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, according to Xinhua: China has decided to suspend talks with the US on a new round of arms control and non-proliferation consultations, and the responsibility for this situation lies entirely with the US side.

He pointed out that for a long time, the US side has ignored China’s firm opposition and repeated protests, continued to sell arms to Taiwan, and taken actions that seriously undermined China’s core interests and harmed mutual trust between the two sides, which undermined the political atmosphere necessary for the continuation of arms control consultations.

Lin Jian expressed China’s willingness to maintain communication with the US on international arms control issues on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

He stressed that the US side should respect China’s core interests and creates necessary conditions for dialogue and exchanges between the two sides.

Nada Haj Khidr