Mr. Chairman,
As the cornerstone of the international non-proliferation regime, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has played an important role in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and maintaining international peace and security. Currently, it is necessary for the international community to take effective measures to maintain and strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and eliminate the risks of proliferation of nuclear weapons. The Chinese delegation hopes that this round of review process will achieve positive progress in this regard.
Mr. Chairman,
The proliferation of nuclear weapons is caused by complex factors. To effectively prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons requires joint actions by all parties. Efforts should be made in the following aspects as a holistic approach which addresses both the symptoms and the root causes.
--The proliferation of nuclear weapons is interrelated with the international and regional security environment. All countries should make efforts in fostering an international security environment of cooperation and trust, respect the security concerns of each other, and advance collective security so as to eliminate the incentives for seeking nuclear weapons. To seek one's own superior security at the expense of others' security is unacceptable.
-- The authority, effectiveness and universality of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime should be maintained and enhanced. Practices of double standards must be discarded. Comprehensive, faithful and balanced compliance with all the obligations of the NPT should be guaranteed. It is necessary to strengthen the safeguards function of the IAEA and promote the universality of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and its Additional Protocol. All states should strictly fulfill their non-proliferation obligations, strengthen their export control system and facilitate international cooperation in this regard.
--Regional nuclear issues should be addressed in a peaceful manner through dialogue and negotiations. Either resorting to sanctions or force or taking non-proliferation as an excuse for other purposes is not conducive to the settlement of these problems. Efforts should be made to encourage the countries concerned to strengthen dialogue, build trust and realize the normalization of their relations so as to pave the way for the solution of relevant non-proliferation issues.
--The relation between non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be developed in a balanced manner. Non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy are mutually reinforcing rather than contradictory. The guarantee of each country's right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy is helpful for the achievement of the non-proliferation purpose. At the same time, all the countries should comply strictly with the obligations set out by the NPT, and should not take peaceful uses of nuclear energy as an excuse for proliferation activities.
Mr. Chairman,
China firmly opposes any form of nuclear proliferation. China has fulfilled its international non-proliferation obligations in a serious manner. China has joined all relevant international treaties and mechanisms in the nuclear area, established a comprehensive nuclear export laws and regulations system and taken effective measures to enforce these laws and regulations.
Meanwhile, for the purpose of safeguarding the international non-proliferation regime and maintaining world and regional peace and security, China has participated actively in the international non-proliferation endeavor and made important efforts to promote the settlement of nuclear issues in relevant regions.
Regarding the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, China always believes that the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula should be settled through dialogue and consultation and by peaceful means. This approach serves the interests of all parties concerned and the international community as a whole. Facts have shown that the six-party talks is an effective mechanism to push forward denuclearization of the Peninsula and to maintain peace and stability there and in whole Northeast Asia. It is also an important platform for improving relations among interested parties. Under current circumstances，we believe that parties concerned should stay calm, exercise restraint and refrain from doing things that could harm the peace and stability in the Peninsula and the region. China hopes that the parties concerned adhere to engagements and dialogues and meet each other half way in order to create favorable conditions to relaunch the six-party talks without delay.
With the joint efforts of all parties concerned, the EU3+3 and Iran has resumed dialogues and achieved positive outcome, which begins the sustained dialogue process. This is of great significance to promoting gradual diplomatic settlement of the issue. We hope that EU3+3 and Iran can be devoted to the main direction of peaceful settlement and increase mutual understanding based on the principles of step-by-step and reciprocity so as to seek a proper solution to settle the issue in a comprehensive and long-term manner. China has maintained close communications with all parties and has made unremitting efforts to promoting the resumption of dialogues and its positive outcome. China is willing to work with all parties, actively engage in promoting peace and talks, and continue to play a constructive role in promoting the peaceful settlement of Iranian Nuclear issue.
The Chinese delegation submitted a working paper entitled non-proliferation of nuclear weapons at this session of the Preparatory Committee. We hope that the elements in this working paper be fully reflected in the relevant reports of Preparatory Committee.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.