China Pushes for a No-First-Use Policy on Nuclear Weapons – Targeting U.S. and Allies?

China has proposed a measure for nuclear-armed countries to commit not to use nuclear weapons preemptively. While this suggestion may seem somewhat unexpected, given China’s previous stance and actions related to nuclear weapons, it appears to be a well-considered proposal.

According to diplomatic sources in Beijing, on Monday, China submitted a working paper, “No First Use of Nuclear Weapons Initiative.” The paper states that China believes “complete prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons and ultimately constructing a world free of nuclear arms is the best interest of all humanity as well as the long-cherished ambitions of every nation. There is no winner in a nuclear war; it only brings catastrophic consequences for humanity.”

Furthermore, suggesting that “In 1994, we submitted a draft of no-first-use of nuclear weapons to the other four nuclear-armed states. We have actively pursued a mutual no-first-use commitment with other nuclear states, both bilaterally and multilaterally,” the document emphasized that it was the practical step to achieve nuclear disarmament, fulfilling Article 6 of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

China has proposed that states bound by treaties should commit not to be the first to use nuclear weapons against each other. It also advocated for a quick agreement that prohibits the use or threat of atomic weapons against non-nuclear states and nuclear-weapon-free zones. Furthermore, China called on all parties to the NPT to support and discuss this proposal, pushing for its formalization in a document at the upcoming 11th NPT Review Conference.

Considering China’s assertions, this proposal seems strategically timed ahead of the 11th NPT Review Conference scheduled for 2026. This consumption is plausible based on the nuclear-armed and non-nuclear states that hold the NPT Review Conference every five years, starting to organize the 2nd preparatory committee on the 22nd. Nevertheless, the sincerity of China’s attitude toward global denuclearization should not be underestimated.