Feb. 4 (UPI) -- China has called on the United States to end its "Cold War mentality," arguing the U.S. should be shrinking it's nuclear arsenal, not diversifying it.
The strong criticism comes in response to the Nuclear Posture Review, published by the Pentagon last week. The U.S. Department of Defense report calls for the military to add new, smaller nuclear bombs to its arsenal.
"We hope the U.S. side to discard its 'cold-war mentality,' shoulder its own special and primary responsibility in nuclear disarmament, understand correctly China's strategic intention and take a fair view on China's national defense and military development," a spokesman of China's National Defense Ministry said.
"The country that owns the world's largest nuclear arsenal, should take the initiative to follow the trend instead of going against it," the country's defence ministry added.
The U.S. military believes its nuclear arsenal is becoming outdated. The newly published review suggests the United States' nuclear capabilities are limited by having too many large bombs and not enough small-capacity weapons.
The report cites the "growing threat from revisionist powers" China, Russia, North Korea and Iran as potential threats.
The call for additional weapons -- specifically, "lower-yield" options for ballistic and cruise missiles launched at sea -- reverses the Obama-era policy of shrinking the United States' nuclear arsenal.
