China expresses "regret" over New START expiration, urges US-Russia dialogue to preserve strategic stability

China expressed "regret" on Thursday over the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the last remaining legally binding agreement limiting U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear forces. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that the treaty had played a crucial role in sustaining the international nuclear disarmament framework and cautioned that its lapse could "negatively" affect global strategic stability.

Call for Continued U.S.-Russia Engagement

Lin urged Washington to respond positively to Russia’s proposal that both nations continue to observe the treaty’s central limits even after its expiration and to resume dialogue on strategic stability. "China finds the expiration of the New START treaty between the U.S. and Russia regrettable," Lin told reporters in Beijing, adding that the agreement was "of great significance to uphold global strategic stability."

Reaffirmation of China’s Nuclear Policy

The spokesman reiterated China’s "extremely prudent and responsible" approach to nuclear weapons, emphasizing its defensive nuclear strategy, no‑first‑use policy, and unconditional pledge not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non‑nuclear‑weapon states or nuclear‑weapon‑free zones.

Background on New START

New START was signed in 2010 and entered into force in 2011, replacing earlier arms control agreements. Its expiration early Thursday has raised international concerns about a potential new phase of unregulated nuclear competition between the world’s two largest nuclear powers.