Nuclear Disarmament and Reduction of the Danger of Nuclear War Working paper submitted by China

2012-05-01 23:00

 

1.The complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, and the realization of the nuclear-weapon-free world is the common aspiration of peace loving around the world. Maintaining global strategic balance and stability, promoting international nuclear disarmament process serve the common interests of all parties and demand the joint efforts of the international society.

2.The 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has achieved positive outcome and makes action plans for the comprehensive promotion of the 3 goals of the Treaty. The international society should take this opportunity, embracing the new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination, adhering to multilateralism, fostering a peaceful and stable international security environment, so as to create necessary conditions for the progress of nuclear disarmament.

3.All nuclear weapon States should dedicate themselves to the goal of complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, earnestly fulfil their obligations under article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and publicly undertake not to seek permanent possession of nuclear weapons.

4.All nuclear weapon states should abandon the policy and practice of "nuclear umbrella" and "nuclear sharing" and the nuclear deterrence policy based on first use of nuclear weapons. All nuclear weapon states should undertake not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time or

under any circumstances; 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 threatens of nuclear weapons.

5.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 ultimate realization of complete and thorough nuclear disarmament. When conditions are ripe, other nuclear weapon States should also join the multilateral negotiations on nuclear disarmament.

6. Countries that have not done so should sign and ratify the 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 moratoriums on nuclear explosion tests.

7.The Conference on Disarmament in Geneva is the only 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 early date the negotiation of treaty with comprehensive participation of all parties concerned. Simultaneously, it should also begin substantive work on important issues such as nuclear disarmament, prevention of weaponization of and an arms race in outer space and negative security assurances.

8. 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.

9. Nuclear disarmament undertakings should follow the guidelines of promoting global strategic stability and undiminished security for all. Development and deployment of global missile defence systems, which undermines global strategic stability and international cooperation in this regard, should not be carried out so as to avoid impairing international nuclear disarmament efforts. Multilateral negotiations on preventing the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space should be vigorously promoted.

10. Realizing the universality of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and enhancing its authority is of extreme importance. Countries that have not yet done so should accede to the Treaty as non-nuclear weapon States at an early date.