China deeply regrets US withdrawal from Open Skies Treaty

BEIJING - China deeply regrets the United States' insistence on withdrawing from the Treaty on Open Skies regardless of opposition from the international community, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks when asked to comment on the United States' announcement that it would withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, a major international arms control agreement.

Zhao said the US decision will damage mutual military trust and transparency between countries in the region, and it will not be conducive to regional security and stability.

The decision will negatively affect the international arms control and disarmament process, Zhao added.

He called on the US to carefully accommodate the concerns of relevant parties, including Russia, as well as the international community, and to resolve differences through dialogue.

Wantonly withdrawing from international treaties is not a proper practice for a major country, Zhao said.