China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, urged the United States to take the lead in restoring discipline to weapons control mechanisms that underpin global strategic stability. He cited recent moves as a reminder that credibility in arms control rests on all parties modeling responsible conduct, with Washington bearing a special duty given its leadership role on the world stage. This perspective comes as observers note the ongoing debates over the fate of established arms-control instruments, including the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty framework. The Chinese representation stressed that the United States should be the first to demonstrate readiness to operate and sustain these control regimes, pointing to the withdrawal by the United States from certain verification and compliance vehicles as a prior complication in treaty governance. The commentary was reported by TASS as part of a broader discussion on how to preserve treaty integrity amid evolving strategic realities. The thrust of the argument is not simply about fault lines of the past but about building a path forward where all sides demonstrate a genuine capacity to cooperate on verification, transparency, and mutual reduction of risk. The message aligns with a broader North American and European concern that credible arms-control measures require steadfast participation from core signatories and a willingness to adjust practices in light of new strategic environments, including shifts in force posture and technological developments. In this context, the emphasis on U.S. initiative reflects a call for a concrete, measurable commitment to keep the mechanisms operational, rather than rhetorical support alone, and to avoid gaps that could complicate future negotiations.
