A senior US official said Tuesday that China is not keen on discussing steps to reduce the risk posed by nuclear weapons. Alexandra Bell, deputy assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance, told an Atlantic Council that even after US's efforts, Washington and Beijing have not begun engagement on the issue.

"As a first step, we'd really like to have a conversation with them about each other's doctrines, about crisis communication, crisis management," Bell said, adding that China had not learnt a lesson from the Cuban missile crisis.&nbsp;

Chinese leader Xi Jinping had signaled last month that Beijing would strengthen its strategic deterrent. The Pentagon also believes that China is expanding its nuclear forces and working to achieve 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-xi-asks-communist-vietnam-to-never-let-anyone-interfere-530061">China's Xi asks communist Vietnam to 'never let anyone interfere'</a>

Bell also added that US has had similar talks with Russia for decades. However, Beijing has not shown much interest in arms control talks with Washington, arguing that the United States already has a much larger arsenal.

"We're not in that space with Beijing yet. So, there's work to be done to begin the conversation, we think bilaterally," Bell said.

Citing the Cuban missile crisis as an example when the US and Soviet Union came close to a nuclear war, Bell said, "We're now at the 60th anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis. We don't need to repeat that to know that we need to be at the table having conversations with each other."

Last year, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had informed that Washington and Beijing "look to begin to carry forward discussion on strategic stability." But at the CCP congress last month, Xi made it clear that the country is looking to strengthen its strategic deterrent, a term often used to describe nuclear weapons.

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On Beijing's argument about US having more nuclear warheads, Richard Johnson, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Policy, said that they can at least take up the matter of other basic things.

"If that's the argument that Beijing is giving, we're not asking to have a discussion about numbers. We're saying, let's talk about putting some guardrails into the relationship so that we don't have unnecessary crises," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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A senior US official said Tuesday that China is not keen on discussing steps to reduce the risk posed by nuclear weapons. Alexandra Bell, deputy assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance, told an Atlantic Council that even after US's efforts, Washington and Beijing have not begun engagement on the issue.

A senior US official said Tuesday that China is not keen on discussing steps to reduce the risk posed by nuclear weapons. Alexandra Bell, deputy assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance, told an Atlantic Council that even after US's efforts, Washington and Beijing have not begun engagement on the issue. "As a first step, we'd really like to have a conversation with them about each other's doctrines, about crisis communication, crisis management," Bell said, adding that China had not learnt a lesson from the Cuban missile crisis. Chinese leader Xi Jinping had signaled last month that Beijing would strengthen its strategic deterrent. The Pentagon also believes that China is expanding its nuclear forces and working to achieve 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030. Also Read | China's Xi asks communist Vietnam to 'never let anyone interfere' Bell also added that US has had similar talks with Russia for decades. However, Beijing has not shown much interest in arms control talks with Washington, arguing that the United States already has a much larger arsenal. "We're not in that space with Beijing yet. So, there's work to be done to begin the conversation, we think bilaterally," Bell said. Citing the Cuban missile crisis as an example when the US and Soviet Union came close to a nuclear war, Bell said, "We're now at the 60th anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis. We don't need to repeat that to know that we need to be at the table having conversations with each other." Last year, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had informed that Washington and Beijing "look to begin to carry forward discussion on strategic stability." But at the CCP congress last month, Xi made it clear that the country is looking to strengthen its strategic deterrent, a term often used to describe nuclear weapons. × On Beijing's argument about US having more nuclear warheads, Richard Johnson, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Policy, said that they can at least take up the matter of other basic things. "If that's the argument that Beijing is giving, we're not asking to have a discussion about numbers. We're saying, let's talk about putting some guardrails into the relationship so that we don't have unnecessary crises," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

China expanding its nuclear forces, not keen on talks about risks posed, says US

US President Joe Biden said he spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss China's military activity near Taiwan and both sides agreed to abide by the Taiwan agreement.

US President Biden says Xi Jinping agreed to abide by the Taiwan agreement

China is not holding overly high expectations from the upcoming US-China in-person talks which will be held in Alaska. It also doesn't expect the initial round of talks to resolve all the issues between China and the US.

China not holding high expectations from US-China in-person talks

There are no easy fixes for US and China's trusty relations in the first high-level in-person talks of the Biden administration with China. Top diplomats from the two world powers discussed a laundry list of issues in the Alaska summit.

Public rebukes at Alaska Summit, US accuses China of 'grandstanding'

First US-China in-person talks under Biden begins on sour note

For the first time since President Joe Biden took office, US State Secretary Antony Blinken will hold high-level, in-person talks with Chinese representatives next week in Alaska.

US, China to hold first high-level meet under Biden in Alaska

US President Donald Trump says, he is not interested in talking with China over trade deal because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Trump also ends Hong Kong's special status with China

Trump not interested in China Trade talks, ends Hong Kong preferential status

US President Donald Trump says, he is not interested in talking with China over trade deal because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Trump also ends Hong Kong's special status with China.

China vows retaliation after Trump ends special status for Hong Kong

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Friday sounded optimistic&nbsp;about trade negotiations with China as two of his top economic advisers downplayed friction from the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-arrest-a-despicable-rogue-action-chinese-media-182128">arrest of a senior executive of Chinese telecom </a>equipment maker Huawei Technologies.

"China talks are going very well," Trump said on Twitter, without providing any details.

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China talks are going very well!
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Major companies have expressed concerns about how the arrest of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou in Canada at the request of US&nbsp;authorities would affect <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/g20-summit-bring-a-truce-in-us-china-trade-relations-181105">US-China relations</a> or that it would cause a potential backlash against American firms operating in China.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/arrest-of-huawei-cfo-throws-rare-spotlight-on-family-181953">Meng</a>, 46, the daughter of Huawei's founder, appeared in a Vancouver court for a bail hearing as she awaits possible extradition to the United States in the investigation of whether Huawei violated US&nbsp;sanctions against Iran.

Larry Kudlow, director of the White House's National Economic Council, told CNBC he did not believe Meng's arrest would "spill over" into the talks with China aimed at increasing Beijing's purchases of US&nbsp;farm and energy commodities, lowering Chinese tariffs and making sweeping changes to China's policies on intellectual property and technology transfers.

Kudlow said the investigation of whether Huawei violated US&nbsp;sanctions against Iran was on a "separate track" from the trade talks and was a matter of national security and US&nbsp;law.

"You can’t break the law. You break the American law, you break the Canadian law, you’ve got to pay the consequences of that," Kudlow said of the Huawei case. "That was the case with other companies and will continue to be the case. These are issues of national security."

Continued concerns over US-China trade relations caused stocks to sell off on Friday, with technology shares leading the decline. The Nasdaq Composite fell 2.4 per cent, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 2.1 per cent and the S&amp;P 500 index down 1.9 per cent in afternoon trade.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told CNN that the US-China trade talks and the Huawei arrest "are two separate events," calling the timing of Meng's arrest a coincidence.

Navarro said the arrest was the result of "the bad actions of Huawei," adding there was a "frightening" risk that the Chinese government could use the company's products for spying.

"The timing was unusual, but the actions were legitimate."

Asked if the United States would walk away from trade talks if US-China differences were not resolved in 90 days, Navaro said: "It's not a question of walking away. It's a question of moving forward on the strategy, which is to simply raise the tariffs" on Chinese goods.

Kudlow expressed optimism that the United States and China will make substantial progress during the 90-day period allocated for talks, ending around March 1.

"I think there will be a lot of success in the next 90 days; President has indicated, that if there’s good solid movement and there’s a good action, he might - he might - be willing to extend the 90 days," Kudlow told CNBC.

He reiterated that the Trump administration was expecting immediate movement from China on purchases of agricultural commodities and energy and added that he expected Chinese autos tariffs to be reduced. He said it was a positive sign that China was willing to discuss core issues related to intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers and computer hacking of U.S. companies.

However, Kudlow said US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who will lead the American side in the talks, will be looking to ensure that any agreements can be fully enforced and monitored to ensure follow-through by Beijing.

US President Donald Trump on Friday sounded optimistic about trade negotiations with China as two of his top economic advisers downplayed friction from the arrest of a senior executive of Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei Technologies.

US President Donald Trump on Friday sounded optimistic about trade negotiations with China as two of his top economic advisers downplayed friction from the arrest of a senior executive of Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei Technologies. "China talks are going very well," Trump said on Twitter, without providing any details. China talks are going very well! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2018 × Major companies have expressed concerns about how the arrest of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou in Canada at the request of US authorities would affect US-China relations or that it would cause a potential backlash against American firms operating in China. Meng, 46, the daughter of Huawei's founder, appeared in a Vancouver court for a bail hearing as she awaits possible extradition to the United States in the investigation of whether Huawei violated US sanctions against Iran. Larry Kudlow, director of the White House's National Economic Council, told CNBC he did not believe Meng's arrest would "spill over" into the talks with China aimed at increasing Beijing's purchases of US farm and energy commodities, lowering Chinese tariffs and making sweeping changes to China's policies on intellectual property and technology transfers. Kudlow said the investigation of whether Huawei violated US sanctions against Iran was on a "separate track" from the trade talks and was a matter of national security and US law. "You can’t break the law. You break the American law, you break the Canadian law, you’ve got to pay the consequences of that," Kudlow said of the Huawei case. "That was the case with other companies and will continue to be the case. These are issues of national security." Continued concerns over US-China trade relations caused stocks to sell off on Friday, with technology shares leading the decline. The Nasdaq Composite fell 2.4 per cent, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 2.1 per cent and the S&P 500 index down 1.9 per cent in afternoon trade. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told CNN that the US-China trade talks and the Huawei arrest "are two separate events," calling the timing of Meng's arrest a coincidence. Navarro said the arrest was the result of "the bad actions of Huawei," adding there was a "frightening" risk that the Chinese government could use the company's products for spying. "The timing was unusual, but the actions were legitimate." Asked if the United States would walk away from trade talks if US-China differences were not resolved in 90 days, Navaro said: "It's not a question of walking away. It's a question of moving forward on the strategy, which is to simply raise the tariffs" on Chinese goods. Kudlow expressed optimism that the United States and China will make substantial progress during the 90-day period allocated for talks, ending around March 1. "I think there will be a lot of success in the next 90 days; President has indicated, that if there’s good solid movement and there’s a good action, he might - he might - be willing to extend the 90 days," Kudlow told CNBC. He reiterated that the Trump administration was expecting immediate movement from China on purchases of agricultural commodities and energy and added that he expected Chinese autos tariffs to be reduced. He said it was a positive sign that China was willing to discuss core issues related to intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers and computer hacking of U.S. companies. However, Kudlow said US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who will lead the American side in the talks, will be looking to ensure that any agreements can be fully enforced and monitored to ensure follow-through by Beijing.

Trump upbeat on China talks; aides downplay Huawei arrest friction

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday used his first meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to urge Beijing to help rein in North Korea after its series of nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

Trump however reaffirmed the position in a conciliatory phone call to Chinese President Xi Jinping, mending fences enough for Wang to come to Bonn for a G20 foreign ministers meeting.

&quot;Secretary Tillerson and Minister Wang noted the recent call between leaders and discussed efforts to advance bilateral cooperation while addressing differences in a constructive manner,&quot; Mark Toner, acting US State Department spokesman, said.

&quot;Secretary Tillerson also highlighted the increasing threat posed by North Korea&#39;s nuclear and missile programs and urged China to use all available tools to moderate North Korea&#39;s destabilising behaviour,&quot; Toner said.

China is North Korea&#39;s last major ally and has shown itself reluctant to put too much pressure on Pyongyang.

In the meantime, reclusive North Korea has made huge strides in both its missile and nuclear weapons programme to the point where it could acquire the capability to hit the US mainland.

Washington has led international efforts to get Pyongyang to reverse course, including imposing sanctions, but all to no avail as its regional allies take fright at North Korea&#39;s ambitions.

On Thursday, Tillerson pledged that Washington would use the full range of its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend Japan and South Korea against North Korea, which conducted another ballistic missile test on Sunday.

&quot;The United States remains steadfast in its defence commitments to its allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, including the commitment to provide extended deterrence, backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defence capabilities,&quot; Tillerson said in a joint statement with their foreign ministers.

Washington&#39;s recent decision to install a sophisticated THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea especially angered China which condemned the move as a potential threat to its own security.&nbsp;

Global trade, protectionism&nbsp;

Toner said Tillerson and Yang &quot;also discussed the need to create a level playing field for trade and investment.&quot;

On the campaign trail, Trump regularly attacked China for stealing American jobs and running a massive, unfairly won trade surplus with the United States which he would reverse by whatever means necessary.

Chinese President Xi pointedly made a signature address to the Davos World Economic Forum in January to defend free trade and globalisation which he said were menaced by growing protectionist sentiment.

When the Chinese foreign ministry &nbsp;announced Wang&#39;s trip would go ahead, it said Beijing hoped the G20 gathering would &quot;send positive signals on supporting multilateralism, enhancing global governance and creating an innovative, interconnected, open and inclusive world economy.&quot;

Several of Trump&#39;s cabinet, including Tillerson, have also warned Beijing against throwing its weight about in the South China Sea, insisting the US would intervene if necessary to preserve international rights of navigation.

Although Washington severed ties with Taiwan in 1979, it has retained close links with Taipei, particularly in defence, and Beijing watches closely for any sign of US backsliding.

Taiwan has been ruled separately since Mao Zedong&#39;s communists ousted China&#39;s Nationalists who fled to the island in 1949.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

China is North Korea's last major ally and has shown itself reluctant to put too much pressure on Pyongyang

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday used his first meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to urge Beijing to help rein in North Korea after its series of nuclear and ballistic missile tests. Trump however reaffirmed the position in a conciliatory phone call to Chinese President Xi Jinping, mending fences enough for Wang to come to Bonn for a G20 foreign ministers meeting. "Secretary Tillerson and Minister Wang noted the recent call between leaders and discussed efforts to advance bilateral cooperation while addressing differences in a constructive manner," Mark Toner, acting US State Department spokesman, said. "Secretary Tillerson also highlighted the increasing threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and urged China to use all available tools to moderate North Korea's destabilising behaviour," Toner said. China is North Korea's last major ally and has shown itself reluctant to put too much pressure on Pyongyang. In the meantime, reclusive North Korea has made huge strides in both its missile and nuclear weapons programme to the point where it could acquire the capability to hit the US mainland. Washington has led international efforts to get Pyongyang to reverse course, including imposing sanctions, but all to no avail as its regional allies take fright at North Korea's ambitions. On Thursday, Tillerson pledged that Washington would use the full range of its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend Japan and South Korea against North Korea, which conducted another ballistic missile test on Sunday. "The United States remains steadfast in its defence commitments to its allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, including the commitment to provide extended deterrence, backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defence capabilities," Tillerson said in a joint statement with their foreign ministers. Washington's recent decision to install a sophisticated THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea especially angered China which condemned the move as a potential threat to its own security. Global trade, protectionism Toner said Tillerson and Yang "also discussed the need to create a level playing field for trade and investment." On the campaign trail, Trump regularly attacked China for stealing American jobs and running a massive, unfairly won trade surplus with the United States which he would reverse by whatever means necessary. Chinese President Xi pointedly made a signature address to the Davos World Economic Forum in January to defend free trade and globalisation which he said were menaced by growing protectionist sentiment. When the Chinese foreign ministry announced Wang's trip would go ahead, it said Beijing hoped the G20 gathering would "send positive signals on supporting multilateralism, enhancing global governance and creating an innovative, interconnected, open and inclusive world economy." Several of Trump's cabinet, including Tillerson, have also warned Beijing against throwing its weight about in the South China Sea, insisting the US would intervene if necessary to preserve international rights of navigation. Although Washington severed ties with Taiwan in 1979, it has retained close links with Taipei, particularly in defence, and Beijing watches closely for any sign of US backsliding. Taiwan has been ruled separately since Mao Zedong's communists ousted China's Nationalists who fled to the island in 1949. (AFP)

US wants China to moderate North Korea's 'destabilising behaviour'

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China expanding its nuclear forces, not keen on talks about risks posed, says US

US President Biden says Xi Jinping agreed to abide by the Taiwan agreement

China not holding high expectations from US-China in-person talks

Public rebukes at Alaska Summit, US accuses China of 'grandstanding'

First US-China in-person talks under Biden begins on sour note

China not holding high expectations from US-China in-person talks

US, China to hold first high-level meet under Biden in Alaska

Trump not interested in China Trade talks, ends Hong Kong preferential status

China vows retaliation after Trump ends special status for Hong Kong

Trump upbeat on China talks; aides downplay Huawei arrest friction

US wants China to moderate North Korea's 'destabilising behaviour'