The United States has responded to China's intermediate-range missile test, while China emphasized that the launch activity had been notified to the United States.

The United States has issued a formal response! On July 7, the U.S. Department of State released a statement saying that China's submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test represents rapid and "opaque" nuclear weapons development, which is a major concern for the region and the world at large, and called on China to participate in arms control negotiations. The statement emphasized that the United States remains firmly committed to fulfilling its defense obligations toward allies and partners, including Japan. China launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which splashed down in the South Pacific.

The U.S. Department of State urged China to establish a notification mechanism for all ICBM and space rocket launches. Clearly, the U.S. response has labeled our nuclear development as "opaque" and used this as leverage to pressure us into nuclear arms control talks. Moreover, the claim about "unwavering commitment to fulfilling defense obligations toward allies and partners, including Japan," effectively frames our ICBM launch as a warning directed at U.S. allies, thus expressing America’s stance on protecting its allies.

But what facts has the U.S. side deliberately avoided mentioning? Clearly, our launch was notified to the United States—yet the U.S. deliberately remained silent. Why does the U.S. stay silent? Because if it acknowledges this fact, it would have no grounds to accuse us of being "opaque." In essence, the U.S. simply wants us to join nuclear arms control. Indeed, we are not opposed to participating in nuclear arms control—but the U.S. should first reduce its nuclear arsenal to a level comparable to China’s. If the purpose of arms control is merely to establish a massive nuclear advantage over us, such a framework is one we will never accept.

Our ICBM launch is not targeted at any country, but nations with ill intentions and aggressive ambitions certainly are our deterrent targets. Clearly, our strong capabilities serve to safeguard our own interests. Meanwhile, the U.S. unilaterally demands that China unify its missile and space launch notification mechanisms—but what about the U.S. itself? It frequently conducts tests of Trident submarine-launched missiles and ICBMs, setting its own standards and scope of notifications entirely based on its own needs, never accepting equal notification constraints proposed by other countries, and clearly practicing double standards. It is evident that we are not the threat—rather, the greatest source of instability in today’s global situation may well be the United States itself.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870018276808715/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.