‘Committed to peaceful development’: China denies testing nukes, rejects Trump's claim; reaffirms no-first-use policy

China on Monday firmly denied claims by US President Donald Trump that it has been secretly conducting nuclear weapons tests. The government reiterated its long-standing commitment to a moratorium on nuclear testing and its policy of peaceful development. Responding to questions at a regular press briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China follows a policy of peaceful development, maintains a no first use stance on nuclear weapons, upholds a self-defence nuclear strategy and remains committed to suspending nuclear testing. “As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible nuclear-weapon state, China is committed to peaceful development, follows a policy of “no first use” of nuclear weapons and a nuclear strategy that focuses on self-defen