China ‘gravely concerned’ by reported US nuclear strategy shift

China said it was “gravely concerned” after The New York Times reported this week that President Biden had secretly shifted the U.S. nuclear strategy to focus on countering Beijing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Wednesday during a press conference that the U.S. was using the argument of China as a nuclear threat as a “convenient pretext to shirk its obligation of nuclear disarmament, expand its own nuclear arsenal, and seek absolute strategic predominance.”

“The size of China’s nuclear arsenal is by no means on the same level with the U.S.,” Mao added.

“China follows a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons and a nuclear strategy that focuses on self-defense, and always keeps its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required by national security. “

Mao accused the U.S. of being the aggressor for having the “largest and most advanced nuclear arsenal in the world,” while pursuing a rapid modernization of its weapons.

She also slammed the U.S. for holding a first-use policy, though Washington says it will only use a weapon of mass destruction in the event of an invasion or major attack.