The United States should remove all nuclear weapons stationed in Europe and avoid placing them in any other regions. This stance was voiced by Fu Cong, who heads the Arms Control Department at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to TASS.
He urged that the United States withdraw its nuclear arsenal from Europe and halt any plans to deploy nuclear weapons elsewhere. He noted that non-nuclear states must adhere stringently to the treaty’s rules and obligations. The Chinese representative spoke during the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, emphasizing that the treaty requires clear compliance by all parties and rejects actions seen as spreading nuclear arms.
Fu Cong also argued that what are called joint nuclear missions run counter to the treaty’s terms and raise the risks of further nuclear proliferation and regional or global nuclear conflicts. These points were presented as part of a broader call for restraint and reform in the handling of nuclear deterrence and arms control among major powers.
In addition, Fu Cong stated that any return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action related to the Iranian nuclear program should proceed through diplomatic negotiations. He urged all parties to avoid the use of sanctions or coercive pressure in pursuing a resolution, advocating a path that prioritizes dialogue and diplomacy.
On the following day, the U.S. Secretary of State described a conditional stance on the use of nuclear weapons, saying Washington would consider their employment only in extreme circumstances. This remark underscored the ongoing tension between disarmament goals and deterrence strategies in current international discussions.