ANKARA

China on Wednesday doubled down on its longstanding policy of "no-first-use" of a nuclear arsenal, saying it stands ready to work with other parties to make the world free of nuclear weapons.

"China stands ready to work with other parties to continuously strive toward the goal of complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, and the ultimate realization of a world free of nuclear weapons," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters as Beijing marked 60th anniversary of its first nuclear test.

"On Oct. 16, 1964, the Chinese government made a solemn declaration to the world that it undertakes not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances," she added.

"History" and "reality" have proved that the no-first-use of nuclear weapons is conducive to enhancing strategic mutual trust, advancing the nuclear disarmament process, effectively reducing strategic risks, and promoting global strategic balance and stability, maintained Mao.

Over the past six decades, she further said, the no-first-use policy has been increasingly becoming an important consensus and priority in the field of international arms control.

This year, China submitted a working paper on mutual no-first-use of nuclear weapons at the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the 11th NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) Review Conference.

China’s nuclear arsenal has seen an unprecedented increase from 410 warheads in Jan. 2023 to 500 in Jan. 2024, marking the fastest growth rate among nuclear-armed states, according to Sweden-based Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).