Download Beijing hopes the outside world will not make wild guesses about China's limited nuclear capacity, and believes that countries with the largest nuclear arsenals should bear the primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters at a daily news briefing on Monday. He was speaking in response to a newly released report from a Sweden-based think tank, which stated that China has added 10 nuclear warheads to its stockpile, bringing its total to 250. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released the report on Monday, saying China, India and Pakistan had increased their nuclear arsenals over the past year. Pakistan has added about 10 warheads for a total of between 100 and 120, and India has increased its supply by about 10 for a total of 90 to 110, the institute said. Observers said the report only demonstrates academic research and cannot be seen as an authorized source for judging a country's nuclear capability. Hong said China's nuclear weapons are firmly committed to self-defense, and China has never used such weapons to threaten other countries. "China has never deployed nuclear weapons in other countries, and China does not participate in any form of the nuclear arms race and has always kept its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security." China's nuclear policy is one of the most transparent of all the nuclear powers, and the country has continuously supported and advocated the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, he added. |