Chinese FM refutes Japan's groundless attack on nuclear disarmament issues

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi refuted groundless attack on China's nuclear disarmament issues made by his Japanese counterpart during a two- way meeting held here on Saturday, describing it as "irresponsible remarks", Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said on Sunday.

During the meeting, Japan's top diplomat Katsuya Okada claimed that China has not fulfilled its commitment on nuclear disarmament, accusing Beijing of continuously enhancing the nuclear power while the whole world are promoting nuclear disarmament efforts. He said Japan expressed "strong concern" about it, according to Ma.

In response, Yang noted that China remains transparent strategy and policy on the nuclear issue, and China's opinions and efforts on the issue are also well-known to all, Ma said.

Yang said China always advocates that the nuclear weapons should be completely forbidden and totally destroyed, and it also firmly pursues a nuclear strategy of self-defense.

He noted that China is the only country that owns nuclear weapons but adheres to the policy of no-first-use of the nuclear weapons, and promises unconditionally not to use or threat to use nuclear weapons against nuclear-free states or nuclear-free regions.

Yang stressed China never takes part in any nuclear arms races and never deploy any nuclear weapons in other countries.

He said China will maintain its nuclear power on the lowest level that its security needs, which can be seen as the unique contribution made by China to the international nuclear disarmament process. He noted that the Chinese side's position is proper, transparent and unimpeachable.

Yang said he hopes the Japanese Foreign Minister could respect the fact and put the bilateral ties between the two countries and fundamental interests between the two peoples above all.

Source: Xinhua