U.S. and China hold first informal nuclear talks in 5 years, eyeing Taiwan

SUMMARY

In March, the United States and China engaged in semi-official nuclear arms talks after a five-year hiatus, addressing concerns over Taiwan. Chinese delegates assured their U.S. counterparts that Beijing would not resort to nuclear threats in a conflict over Taiwan, emphasizing confidence in prevailing through conventional means. The discussions, organized under Track Two diplomacy, involved former officials and scholars rather than government representatives. Despite ongoing tensions and stalled Track One negotiations, both sides expressed a commitment to continuing dialogue on nuclear policies. The talks also explored China's adherence to its no-first-use and minimal deterrence policies amidst evolving regional security dynamics.