Mr. Chairman,
Promoting international nuclear disarmament process, eliminating the threats of nuclear war and establishing a nuclear-weapon-free world is an important goal of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has achieved positive outcome for the promotion of the goals of the Treaty by adopting action plans, including in the field of nuclear disarmament. The international community should take this opportunity to jointly create favorable conditions and advance the international process of nuclear disarmament.
First, All nuclear-weapon states should dedicate themselves to the goal of complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. They should earnestly fulfill their obligations under article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and undertake not to seek permanent possession of nuclear weapons.
Second, all nuclear weapon states should abandon the nuclear deterrence policy based on first-use of nuclear weapons. All nuclear weapon states should undertake unequivocally not to be the first to use nuclear weapons; and undertake unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones so as to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons. The policy and practice of ‘nuclear umbrella’ and ‘nuclear sharing’ should be abandoned. Countries that deploy nuclear weapons abroad should withdraw all such weapons.
Third，States possessing the largest nuclear arsenals should take the lead in drastically reducing their nuclear arsenals in a verifiable, irreversible and legally binding way, so as to create necessary conditions for the complete and thorough nuclear disarmament. When conditions are ripe, other nuclear weapon States should also join the multilateral negotiations on nuclear disarmament. To attain the ultimate goal of complete and thorough nuclear disarmament, the international community should develop, at an appropriate time, a viable long-term plan composed of phased actions, including the conclusion of a convention on the complete prohibition of nuclear weapons.
Fourth，countries that have not done so should sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty as soon as possible so that it may enter into force at an early date according to relevant provisions. Pending the entry-into-force of the Treaty, nuclear weapon states should continue to observe their moratoria on nuclear explosion tests.
Fifth, The Conference on Disarmament in Geneva is the most proper forum to negotiate a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. It should start at an earlier date the negotiation of the treaty with comprehensive participation of all parties concerned.
Sixth, nuclear disarmament should follow the guidelines of ‘promoting global strategic stability’ and ‘undiminished security for all’. The development and deployment of missile defense systems which disrupt global and regional strategic balance and stability should be abandoned, so as to avoid impairing international nuclear disarmament efforts. Multilateral negotiation process to prevent the weaponization of and arms race in outer space should be vigorously promoted.
Mr. Chairman，
China has never evaded its due obligations and responsibilities in nuclear disarmament.
Firstly, China has always pursued the policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons. Ever since the first day it came into possession of nuclear weapons, China has solemnly declared not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time or under any circumstances. Whether confronted with the nuclear threat and nuclear blackmail during the Cold War, or faced with the great changes that have taken place in the international security environment after the Cold War, China has always stayed true to its commitment. China's policy in this regard will remain unchanged in the future. China also undertakes that we will unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states and nuclear-weapon-free zones.
Secondly, China has never participated in any nuclear arms race. China has always exercised utmost restraint in the development of nuclear weapons. China has kept its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security, and never competes with other countries on nuclear capabilities in terms of input, number or scale. China has never deployed any nuclear weapon on foreign territory. China has never taken part in any nuclear arms race in any form and will never do that in the future.
Thirdly，China actively participates in the international nuclear disarmament efforts. China supports the principles and objectives of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and observes moratorium on nuclear testing. China has actively supported and participated in the preparatory work of the CTBTO, and steadily promote the preparatory work for national implementation of the CTBT. China has attended all the Conferences on Facilitating the Entry-into-Force of the Treaty and is dedicated to promoting its early entry-into-force. China supports the early commencement of the FMCT negotiation in the Conference on Disarmament so as to conclude a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty.
Fourthly，China actively participated in the efforts of implementing the Final Document of the 8th Review Conference of the Treaty. China has attended the two P5 ‘Verification, Transparency and Confidence Building Measures’ Conference and the P5 Experts’ Meeting on Nuclear Disarmament Verification in a constructive manner. And we will continue to participate constructively in the following meetings including the Washington Conference to be held in June. China is chairing the work of P5 Working Group on Nuclear Glossary and Definitions and will push forward relevant process actively to achieve tangible outcome.
China will, as always, continue to support firmly the international nuclear disarmament process and is willing to work with the international community to make efforts for the success of this session of the Preparatory Committee and the 2015 Review Conference.
Mr. Chairman,
The Chinese delegation has submitted a working paper entitled Nuclear Disarmament and Reduction of the Danger of Nuclear War, which elaborates comprehensively China’s position and we hope the elements in the working paper be fully reflected in the relevant report of the Preparatory committee.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.