CCTV News: On the afternoon of February 27, the Ministry of National Defense held a regular press conference, and Colonel Wu Qian, director of the Ministry of National Defense News Bureau and spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, answered questions from reporters.

Reporter: According to reports, the US President recently mentioned his plan to discuss the issue of reducing nuclear weapons with China and Russia at a press conference, and said he would propose to cut the defense budgets of the three countries by half. What is the spokesperson’s comment?

Question: The US President said in a press conference that he planned to have nuclear arms control talks with China and Russia and to propose cutting the three countries’ defense budgets byhalf. May I have your comment on this?

Wu Qian: As a country with the largest nuclear arsenal, the US should earnestly fulfill its special and priority responsibilities for nuclear disarmament and further significantly and substantially reduce its nuclear arsenal. The international community has a consensus on this point. It should be noted that China pursues a policy of not first using nuclear weapons, adheres to the self-defense and defense nuclear strategy, always maintains its own nuclear power at the lowest level needed by national security, and has made positive contributions to maintaining international peace and security.

Wu Qian: It’s incumbent upon the US, a country in possession of the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, to fulfill its special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament and further make dragastic and substantial cuts to its nuclear arsenal. This is consensus for the international community. I want to point out that China commits itself to a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons, pursues a nuclear strategy of Self-defense, and keeps our nuclear strength at the minimum level required for national security. By so doing, we have contributed to world peace and security.

About military expenditure, the United States has ranked first in the world for many years, with the total amount exceeding the total military expenditure of the latter eight countries, which has deeply worried the international community. I believe that the US should indeed make "US priority" when it comes to reducing nuclear arsenal and military expenditures.

On defense budget, the US defensespending has topped the world for many years in a row. It ishigher than that of the following eight countries combined. Its high defense budget is concerned to the international community. I believe that the US should put into practice “America First” in this regard,and be the first to cut its nuclear arsenal and military expenditure.