BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- China deeply regrets and strongly opposes the United States' withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.
"Withdrawing from the INF is another negative move by the U.S., ignoring its own international commitment and resorting to unilateralism," spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a press briefing.
Hua's remarks came after U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton confirmed the United States would withdraw from the treaty on August 2.
The United States' real purpose is to drop limits on itself and seek unilateral military and strategic advantages, Hua said.
If the U.S. resumes its research and deployment of the intermediate-range missiles after its withdrawal from the treaty, it will severely affect global strategic balance and stability, aggravate tensions and distrust, disrupt international nuclear disarmament and multilateral arms control processes and threaten peace and security in the region, she added.
"We urge the U.S. to show restraint and not to take actions undermining other countries' security interests but to fulfill its responsibility as a major power and safeguard global and regional peace and security with the international community," Hua said.
She also called on the international community to be aware of the severe consequences of the United States' withdrawal from the treaty and prevent the U.S. from shaking off its special and primary responsibility in nuclear disarmament.
