BEIJING, March 26 -- "As a nuclear superpower sitting on the world's largest nuclear arsenal, America's most pressing task is to earnestly fulfill its special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament, make substantial and drastic cuts to its nuclear arsenal, and create conditions for other nuclear-weapon states to join the nuclear disarmament process," said a Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday.

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation accused China of conducting a suspected underground nuclear test in 2020. The U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy again alleged to the media that China was conducting explosive nuclear tests and attempting to conceal them.

In response to that, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), pointed out that relevant remarks distort facts and smear China to mislead the public. It is known for all that China pursues a nuclear strategy of self-defense and follows a nuclear policy of no first use of nuclear weapons.

He emphasized that China pledges not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states and nuclear-weapon-free zones. China always keeps its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security, and does not engage in arms race with any other countries. China takes an active part in the review process of the NPT and meetings of the P5 mechanism, and maintains dialogue with various parties on nuclear disarmament.

"In pursuit of absolute security superiority, the U.S. has disrupted international consensus on arms control, arbitrarily withdrawn from treaties and agreements, invested heavily in upgrading its nuclear triad capabilities, proposed the building of the 'Golden Dome' global missile defense system, and deployed land-based intermediate-range missiles and other weapons and equipment in the Asia-Pacific region," stressed Senior Colonel Jiang, adding that, "It has allowed the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty to expire without renewal, sought to resume nuclear testing, and applied double standards on the issue of nuclear non-proliferation. The U.S. behaviors have severely undermined global strategic balance and stability."