China expressed regret on Thursday over the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between the US and Russia, saying that the treaty played an important role in maintaining global strategic stability.

Speaking at a regular news briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the international community is widely concerned that the expiration of the New START treaty will have negative repercussions for the system of international arms control and the global nuclear order.

Noting that Russia has proposed that both sides continue to uphold the treaty's central limits, Lin said China has called on the US to respond positively, handle follow-up arrangements in a responsible manner, and resume dialogue with Russia on strategic stability at an early date.

"This is also the expectation of the international community," Lin said.