China has accused the United States and Japan of triggering nuclear proliferation while claiming its nuclear capability is kept at a “minimum level.”
Beijing was responding to the ministerial meeting between the U.S. and Japan on extended deterrence in Tokyo on Sunday. During the meeting the U.S. reaffirmed its “nuclear commitment” to defend ally Japan by reinforcing extended deterrence. This is a commitment to deter and respond to potential nuclear and non-nuclear scenarios in defense of allies and partners, also known as providing a “nuclear umbrella,” according to the U.S. Air Force doctrine publication on nuclear operations.
“The PRC [China], Russia, and North Korea continue to threaten global security with their increasing emphasis on nuclear capabilities, so our extended deterrence relationship is more important than ever,” U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said after the meeting.
The U.S. and Japan planned to compile their first joint document on extended deterrence within the year, Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported last week. It will specify the circumstances necessary for Washington to retaliate with nuclear weapons in the event of a threat to Japan.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a press conference on Monday that Washington and Tokyo were exaggerating the threat posed by China and creating fear by talking of regional tensions.
He said that “China is a force for world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of international order.”
