• China rejects Trump's call for participation in U.S.-Russia denuclearization talks.
• Chinese officials describe the proposal as "neither reasonable nor realistic."
• The New START treaty between the U.S. and Russia is set to expire in 2026.
• Trump aims for trilateral discussions amidst rising global nuclear concerns.
• The disparity in nuclear arsenals between the U.S., Russia, and China underscores Beijing's stance.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to reignite denuclearization talks involving Russia and China, as he prepares to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Trump asserts, "We can't let nuclear weapons proliferate. We have to stop nuclear weapons," emphasizing the importance of including both nations in discussions to limit their nuclear arsenals, according to Reuters.

However, China’s Foreign Ministry promptly rejected this proposal, stating it is "neither reasonable nor realistic" for Beijing to join U.S.-Russia nuclear disarmament negotiations. Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the ministry, highlighted the significant disparities in nuclear capabilities between the countries, with China maintaining its forces at "the minimum level required for national security," according to TRT Global, South China Morning Post, and CBS News.

China’s rejection underscores a broader issue, as the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which is the last treaty limiting U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, is set to expire in February 2026. China's nuclear arsenal, estimated at around 600 warheads, is significantly smaller compared to the U.S. and Russia, which hold approximately 3,708 and 4,380 warheads respectively. Experts warn that without renewed arms control agreements, the risk of nuclear proliferation may increase, as indicated by Dawn, South China Morning Post, and CBS News.

Beijing has maintained a policy of minimal deterrence, intending not to engage in an arms race with other nations and calling on those with larger arsenals to fulfill their disarmament responsibilities. Guo emphasized that "the countries with the largest nuclear arsenal should earnestly fulfill their special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament," reiterating China's longstanding position on the issue, according to South China Morning Post, TRT Global, and Dawn.