China has issued a response, saying it firmly opposes the Pentagon's Nuclear Posture Review. Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said Sunday that the US document presumptuously speculates the intentions behind China's development and plays up the threat of the nation's nuclear strength.

Ren reaffirmed that China will resolutely stick to peaceful development and pursue a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. China adheres to the policy of "no first use" of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances. Under no circumstances will China use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free-zones.  Ren added China has always exercised the utmost restraint in the development of nuclear weapons and limits its nuclear capabilities to the minimum level required for national security.