China's nuclear policy is highly stable, while NATO's acts in recent years have adversely impacted global strategic security and stability, spokesman Zhang Xiaogang for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
Zhang made the statements when commenting on the NATO Secretary General's Annual Report for 2024 released in late April, which regarded China as a "systemic challenge" and groundlessly questioned China's nuclear policy.
"The relevant NATO report is full of Cold War mentality and advocates the so-called 'China threat', which completely disregards the facts and finds a wrong target. China has no intention of challenging anyone, and has never threatened anyone. China's nuclear policy is highly stable, continuous and predictable. We always pursue a nuclear strategy of self-defense and maintain our nuclear force at the minimum level required for national security," Zhang said.
"On the other hand, NATO has been expanding its power beyond its borders and meddling in the affairs of the Asia-Pacific region in recent years, seriously undermining regional peace and stability. Moreover, NATO has the world's largest nuclear arsenal through nuclear sharing arrangements, and some member states have invested heavily in upgrading their strategic forces. They are also planning to carry out nuclear submarine cooperation involving the large-scale proliferation of weapon-grade nuclear materials to non-nuclear weapon states. Such practices seriously violate the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, seriously undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation system, and seriously damage global strategic security and stability. We urge NATO to examine its own problems instead of making up stories and shifting the blame," said the spokesman.
NATO acts adversely impact global strategic security, stability: spokesman
NATO acts adversely impact global strategic security, stability: spokesman
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
