China’s Xi Jinping Calls on U.S. and Israel to Disarm Nuclear Arsenals: Fact Check

Recent viral claims suggesting Chinese President Xi Jinping demanded nuclear disarmament from the United States and Israel have been debunked after thorough investigation by fact-checkers.

The widely circulated social media posts featured video clips and screenshots purportedly showing Xi making statements that a third world war could only be avoided if these nations surrendered their nuclear arsenals. These posts gained significant traction across multiple platforms, generating concern among viewers who believed they were watching recent official statements.

However, an extensive review of official Chinese government records and state media archives reveals no evidence that President Xi ever made such remarks. China Central Television (CCTV), which maintains comprehensive records of Xi’s public addresses and official activities, contains no record of any speech where he called for unilateral nuclear disarmament by the U.S. or Israel.

Similarly, archives from China’s Foreign Ministry and the State Council Information Office—both of which meticulously document Xi’s governance-related statements—contain no matching declarations. This absence is particularly telling, as any such provocative statement from the leader of a major nuclear power would have generated immediate and widespread international news coverage.

The lack of reporting on such remarks from established global news organizations like Reuters and the BBC further undermines the claim’s credibility. A statement of this magnitude would have triggered extensive diplomatic fallout and media analysis had it actually occurred.

China’s long-established nuclear doctrine also contradicts the viral narrative. The nation has consistently maintained a “No First Use” (NFU) policy, pledging never to deploy nuclear weapons unless first attacked with such weapons. This defensive posture was reaffirmed as recently as April 2026 in China’s submission to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review process.

While China has advocated for nuclear powers to reduce their arsenals—particularly the United States and Russia, which possess the majority of global nuclear weapons—this position reflects a gradual, multilateral disarmament approach rather than unilateral demands targeted at specific countries.

Regarding the Middle East, China’s documented position has been to support establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region. Within this framework, it has encouraged all regional countries, including Israel, to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and submit to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. However, these positions have always been expressed through diplomatic channels and international forums rather than as ultimatums.

Further analysis reveals that the image of Xi used in many of these viral posts was actually taken from his 2026 New Year greeting, broadcast on December 31, 2025. In this verified address, he discussed China’s economic stability, global peace initiatives, and cross-strait relations with Taiwan—with no mention of nuclear weapons or world war threats.

Xi’s genuine recent statements have focused on energy security, economic resilience, and a four-point peace plan for the Middle East emphasizing sovereignty, international law, and diplomatic solutions over military force. None of these verified statements contain demands for nuclear disarmament by any specific nation.

The fabricated nature of these claims highlights the growing challenge of misinformation in international relations, particularly regarding sensitive topics like nuclear policy. Such false narratives can potentially inflame tensions and misrepresent official diplomatic positions of major world powers.

As global concerns about nuclear proliferation and regional conflicts continue, accurate reporting of official positions remains crucial for informed public discourse and international stability.