China is expected to possess some 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday.

'In the longer term, we need to re-think and adapt our approach to a more dangerous and competitive world.

And this means engaging with China, which is estimated to have 1,500 warheads by 2035,' he told an arms control conference in Washington.

'As a global power, China has global responsibilities.

And Beijing too would benefit from the increased transparency, predictability and security of arms control agreements,' he said.

'NATO is a unique platform where we engage with China and the wider international community for our mutual benefit.'