Chinese official urges certain countries to reduce role of nuclear weapons

The head of a Chinese delegation, speaking at a meeting of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday, called on the international community to strengthen global security governance, urging certain countries to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in their national security policies.

Sun Xiaobo, head of the Chinese delegation and director-general of the Department of Arms Control of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made the statement at the meeting of the UNGA Disarmament and International Security Committee, or the First Committee of the 79th UNGA.

Sun pointed out that over the past few years, some certain countries have continuously enhanced the role of nuclear weapons in their national security policies, investing hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars to upgrade the "nuclear triad" and accelerating the modernization of their nuclear arsenals.

He said these countries have continued to strengthen military alliances, create various discriminatory small circles and promote NATO's extension into the Asia-Pacific region, which has seriously undermined the strategic stability in the region and around the world.

Certain nuclear-weapon states should abolish their arrangements of "nuclear sharing" and "extended deterrence" and withdraw all nuclear weapons deployed abroad to their own territories, Sun stressed, calling on non-nuclear-weapon states under the "nuclear umbrella" to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in their national security and collective security policies.

China urges the relevant countries to stop developing and deploying global anti-missile systems and stop deploying land-based intermediate-range missiles outside their borders or in close proximity to other nuclear-weapon states, he said.

Sun stressed that China has always maintained its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security, while not participating in any arm race, not providing "nuclear umbrella" for any other country, nor deploying nuclear weapons in other countries.

China will not use nuclear weapons to seek hegemony or to intimidate or bully non-nuclear-weapon states, he said, adding that any attempt to distort and smear China's nuclear policy will be futile.

Chinese official urges certain countries to reduce role of nuclear weapons

The "Strike 2024" joint military drill between China and Thailand commenced on Tuesday in Kunming City of southwest China's Yunnan Province, focusing on joint counter-terrorism operations.

The drill, set in the background of hostage rescuing, covers mixed exercises of demolition, battlefield rescue and more. Military officials from both countries are holding high anticipations toward the drill.

"The China-Thailand 'Strike 2024' joint military drill is highly anticipated. I look forward to exchanging military knowledge and counter-terrorism experience with the Chinese side during this year's training. I wish the joint training a great success and hope that the friendship between the two armies will grow stronger," said Pakkawat, commander of the Thai side.

"The joint drill is mainly comprised of three parts: integrated unit training, counter-terrorism drills, and cultural exchanges. The highlight is the exploration of unmanned and intelligent combat, as well as discussions on manned-unmanned coordinated tactics. We hope to deepen exchanges on training methods and combat strategies of special forces, enhance joint counter-terrorism and emergency response capabilities, and further build the China-Thailand 'Strike' joint training series as a significant platform for military cooperation and exchange between two countries," said Yang Jiansong, member of command team of the Chinese side.

The drill, planned to last for 11 days, is the 7th of the "Strike" joint training series between the Chinese and Thai land forces.

China, Thailand hold joint counter-terrorism military drill