China

Nuclear-armed state

Possesses 600 nuclear weapons

Has not yet joined the TPNW

SIGNED

RATIFIED

IN FORCE

Status

China has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

National position

China has consistently voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”.

In 2023, China said that it “endorses the purposes of the TPNW and understands the wishes and the demands of non-nuclear-weapon states to advance nuclear disarmament”. However, the nuclear disarmament process advocated by the TPNW “is divorced from the international security reality and goes against the principle of maintaining global strategic stability, undiminished security for all and step-by-step nuclear disarmament”, it argued.

In 2020, after the threshold of 50 ratifications for the TPNW’s entry into force was reached, China said that it “has always been advocating complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, which is fundamentally in line with purposes of TPNW”.

Along with other nuclear-armed states, China has said that it does “not accept any claim that [the TPNW] contributes to the development of customary international law”. It has called on all states that are considering supporting the the treaty “to reflect seriously on its implications for international peace and security”.

In 2024, as part of the UN Human Rights Council’s universal periodic review process, China responded to a recommendation that it adhere to the TPNW. “China understands non-nuclear-weapon states’ desires and aspirations to take forward the nuclear disarmament process, and will continue to maintain constructive communication with non-nuclear-weapon states in this regard,” it said.

A message projected onto the UN headquarters in New York in 2022 calls on China to join the TPNW. Photo: ICAN

Nuclear-weapon programme

China possesses approximately 600 nuclear weapons, which it can launch from missiles, submarines, and aircraft. Between 1964 and 1996, it conducted 45 nuclear tests on its territory.

In 2024, China spent an estimated $12.5 billion to build and maintain its nuclear forces.

TPNW negotiations

China did not participate in the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and thus did not vote on its adoption.

In 2016, China abstained from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.

Further information

Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor

China

Nuclear-armed state

Possesses 600 nuclear weapons

Has not yet joined the TPNW

Status

National position

Nuclear-weapon programme

TPNW negotiations

Further information

Local Partner Organizations

Related news View all news ›

united states

Global spending on nuclear weapons topped $100 billion in 2024

nuclear weapons

No agreement at Non-Proliferation Treaty PrepCom; TPNW states point way forward

tpnw

NPT: Will Member states stand up for Non-Proliferation at this PrepCom?

united states

Global nuclear weapons spending surges to $91.4 billion

divestment

Nuclear weapons spending increases while global security decreases

nuclear weapons

Doomsday Clock set to 90 seconds to midnight, here’s the plan

nuclear weapons

Broken promises: how nuclear armed states are failing on their commitments to disarm

china

Chinese President Xi Jinping joins in condemnation of nuclear threats

nuclear weapons

NPT Review Conference starts in New York: What’s at stake

china

2021 Global Nuclear Weapons Spending Report

china

China’s nuclear buildup violates international law

divestment

$63 billion drop in investments: New report shows impact of nuclear weapons ban treaty on nuclear weapons business

nuclear weapons

Complicit: nuclear weapons spending increased by $1.4 billion in 2020

nuclear weapons

Enough is Enough: Global Nuclear Weapons Spending 2019

china

Around the World, Victim Assistance Comes Up Short

nuclear weapons

Four Countries Display Missiles, Demonstrate Risks of Renewed Nuclear Arms Race

tpnw

Ai Weiwei, renowned artist, lends support to ban