China sharply criticized recent U.S. security consultations with South Korea and Japan on Thursday, saying expanded nuclear deterrence cooperation risks escalating proliferation and conflict in the region.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing was “deeply concerned” about efforts by the United States and Japan to strengthen extended deterrence, according to a transcript of his regular news briefing.
Lin’s comments came in response to a question about the Japan-U.S. Extended Deterrence Dialogue, held in Tokyo from June 8 to 9, and the sixth meeting of the U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group, held in South Korea.
“Extended deterrence is a product of the Cold War,” Lin said. “Certain countries have strengthened nuclear deterrence cooperation for geopolitical purposes, increasing the risks of nuclear proliferation and nuclear conflict.”
Lin added that many countries had expressed serious concern and strong opposition to extended deterrence arrangements during review conferences for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
He reserved his strongest criticism for Japan, which has recently been embroiled in heightened tensions with China.
“Japan has long advocated building a world without nuclear weapons, but in reality, it has continued to increase its dependence on the so-called nuclear umbrella,” Lin said.
He accused Japanese officials of making “dangerous remarks” about potentially acquiring nuclear weapons, saying such discussions pose a serious challenge to the post-World War II international order and the global nuclear nonproliferation system. Lin urged Japan to reflect on its conduct, fulfill its obligations under the NPT, abide by its three non-nuclear principles and refrain from seeking nuclear weapons in any form.
His warnings to the United States and South Korea were less severe.
Lin urged Washington to abandon its “Cold War mentality,” stop what he described as provocative policies and abolish nuclear-sharing and extended deterrence arrangements. He said the United States should take concrete action to protect regional peace and security and maintain global strategic stability.
Addressing South Korea, Lin said Beijing hoped Seoul would “act cautiously and do more things that contribute to regional stability.”
During the same briefing, Lin also criticized plans by Group of Seven leaders to reduce their dependence on China for rare earth elements and other critical minerals. He urged the group to follow market economy principles and international trade rules and to stop using the rules of “small groups” to undermine the international economic and trade order.
China has said its export control system is consistent with international practices and intended to protect regional stability and meet its nonproliferation obligations.
The rebuke follows several weeks of heightened diplomatic activity among the U.S., China, Japan, South Korea and North Korea. Related meetings have included a trilateral U.S.-Japan-South Korea summit on North Korea policy, U.S.-South Korea security talks on nuclear-powered submarines, and a rare summit between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang early this month.