The U.S. is criticized by China's state media over its nuclear strategy report.

• The U.S. president's reorientation of the country's nuclear strategic plan to counter China's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal was swiftly criticized by China's state media and foreign ministry.
• The nuclear strategic plan was not triggered by a specific country or threat, according to the White House.

The U.S. President's reorientation of the country's nuclear strategic plan in March to target Beijing's nuclear expansion was swiftly condemned by China's state media and foreign ministry.

The Beijing government mouthpiece, Global Times' editor, stated on Thursday that China has become the "best excuse" for the U.S. to maintain its "massive nuclear arsenal" in the post-Cold War world.

The Global Times editor suggested that instead of criticizing China, the US should focus on improving its own actions and building trust with China through dialogue and sincerity.

The foreign ministry of China accused the U.S. of promoting the "China nuclear threat narrative" and using excuses to gain a strategic advantage.

Mao Ning, the Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman, stated that there is no intention to participate in an arms race with other countries.

After the New York Times reported that Biden's approval of the "Nuclear Employment Guidance" plan was influenced by concerns from the Pentagon about China's growing stockpiles, Beijing responded with comments.

The U.S. strategy aimed to prepare for potential coordinated nuclear threats from China, Russia, and North Korea, according to the NYT. Although the strategy's approval was never announced, an unclassified notification is expected to be sent to Congress before Biden leaves office.

The White House stated that the nuclear strategic plan was not triggered by a specific country or threat.

The two largest economies in the world have frequently engaged in verbal sparring over their nuclear aspirations. According to an annual report by the Pentagon, China's nuclear arsenal is projected to surpass 1,000 by 2030, with over 500 operational nuclear warheads as of May 2023, exceeding earlier predictions.

In March, the U.S. and China resumed informal nuclear arms talks, with Chinese officials stating that they will not use atomic threats over Taiwan.