BEIJING, March 27. /TASS/. Countries of the G7 group of nations are disregarding facts pertaining to China’s nuclear arsenal, and have no authority to criticize Beijing on the subject, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman, Senior Colonel Wu Qian said.
"The G7 statement overlooks facts. It contains deliberate defamation regarding China, and presents an outrageous act of interference in China’s sovereign affairs. We strongly condemn it, and oppose it. China adheres to the policy of no-first-use, and its nuclear strategy is defensive in nature. We maintain our nuclear arsenal at the minimum level necessary to ensure our national security. As far as the subject of nuclear weapons is concerned, G7 should reflect on its own actions, and has no right to criticize China," he said.
The spokesman also called upon the G7 nations to move away from the Cold War mentality and ideological biases, and to stop dictating to others. "This approach will not work with regard to the Chinese armed forces," he said.
Foreign Ministers of the G7 group of nations previously adopted a joint statement, expressing concern over China’s nuclear expansion.