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Joe Biden, left, shakes hands with Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru, on Nov. 16. Reuters US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed that decisions regarding the use of nuclear weapons should remain under human control, according to a White House statement issued on Saturday, reports Reuters.
"The two leaders affirmed the need to maintain human control over the decision to use nuclear weapons," the statement read. They also underscored the importance of addressing risks and ensuring that artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the military sphere is developed with caution and responsibility, reported by Reuters. While the Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately comment on the matter, the announcement signifies a rare moment of consensus between the two nations on topics where progress has often been challenging—nuclear arms and artificial intelligence.
The extent to which this agreement will lead to further discussions or concrete measures remains unclear. However, Washington has been urging Beijing to engage in nuclear arms talks for months, with limited progress. Although official-level discussions briefly resumed in November, they have since stalled, prompting frustration from US officials over China's lack of responsiveness.
Formal negotiations on nuclear arms control are not anticipated in the near future. This is despite growing US concerns over China's rapid nuclear expansion, which includes an estimated 500 operational nuclear warheads—a figure projected to exceed 1,000 by 2030, according to the US Department of Defense. By comparison, the US and Russia maintain approximately 1,770 and 1,710 operational warheads, respectively.
China's nuclear arsenal is reportedly undergoing significant modernisation, with advancements such as next-generation ballistic missile submarines, hypersonic glide vehicle warheads, and regular sea patrols equipped with nuclear arms. These developments contribute to China's "nuclear triad"—the ability to deliver nuclear weapons by land, air, and sea—a hallmark of major nuclear powers. Despite these advancements, Beijing maintains a policy of "no first use" and claims its nuclear deterrence strategy remains minimal and defensive.
hinese officials have also criticised Western estimates of their arsenal as "exaggerations" during recent informal exchanges with US experts and retired officials. Efforts to address the military use of AI have been more recent. In May, China and the US held their first formal bilateral talks on AI in Geneva, though nuclear weapons decision-making was not reportedly discussed.
The Biden administration, meanwhile, has updated its classified nuclear guidance this year. A White House spokesperson stated that the update was "not a response to any single entity, country, nor threat," despite persistent concerns over the nuclear arsenals of China, Russia, and North Korea..
