Mr. Chairman,
The Chinese Delegation sincerely congratulates you on your assumption to the Chairmanship of this session of the Preparatory Committee. I would like to thank you for the tremendous work you have done for the convening of the meeting. I am confident that with your rich experience and wisdom, you will guide this session to a positive outcome. My delegation assures you of our full support and cooperation.
Mr. Chairman,
After almost half a century of trials and tribulations, the NPT has become a cornerstone of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. It plays an indispensable role in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons, promoting nuclear disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The NPT review process has become an important mechanism for maintaining international peace and security.
At present, the goal of establishing a world free of nuclear weapons is more widely shared. The consensus on preventing proliferation of nuclear weapons is gaining greater strength. The demand for the peaceful use of nuclear energy is still strong. These facts provide great momentum for strengthening the NPT regime in a comprehensive manner.
However, we must not underestimate the challenges facing the NPT. The international security situation is unstable, laden with growing uncertainties, and compounded by both traditional and non-traditional security threats, which has brought about severe impact on our efforts to strengthen the universality, authority and effectiveness of the NPT.
It would be futile to try to meet these challenges by acting alone, even more so by resorting to force. The Chinese Government always advocates peace over conflict, development over poverty, and cooperation over confrontation. In international relations, we actively promote a spirit of equality and mutual trust, of inclusiveness and mutual learning, and of cooperation and mutual benefit. We are ready to join other States Parties to maintain a good momentum for the review process of the NPT. Together, we must make sure that this PreCom produces a solid basis for a successful 2015 Review Conference.
Mr. Chairman,
The international community must work together to make steady progress in the international nuclear disarmament process, to remove all risks of nuclear proliferation, and to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, as there is no other alternative if we are to achieve the effective enhancement of the NPT. In this context, China would like to state the following:
Nuclear-weapon states should abandon the nuclear deterrence doctrine based on the first use of nuclear weapons. They should publicly undertake not to seek permanent possession of nuclear weapons, and should fulfill their nuclear disarmament obligations. Countries with the largest nuclear arsenals bear special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament. They should continue to make further substantial reductions in their nuclear arsenals in a verifiable and irreversible manner. The development of missile defense systems which undermine global strategic stability should be abandoned, and efforts should be made to vigorously promote non-weaponization of outer space, so as to foster a favorable international strategic security environment for nuclear disarmament.
Nuclear proliferation must be addressed in an integrated manner by tackling both the symptoms and the root causes of the problem, and through political and diplomatic means. Double standards must be forsaken. It is essential to consolidate the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, to strengthen the safeguards function of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and to promote universal adherence to the comprehensive safeguards agreement and its additional protocols. It is essential to further improve nuclear export control systems, to enhance the security of nuclear facilities and material, and to combat nuclear terrorism.
The legitimate rights of peaceful uses of nuclear energy of all states parties should be fully safeguarded and should not be restricted on the grounds of preventing proliferation. Non-nuclear-weapon states must also abide by their international non-proliferation obligations in their peaceful use activities. In this connection, it is high time to give a strong boost to international cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to scale up relevant assistance to developing countries. There is a need for intensified nuclear security measures, and improved capacities for accident prevention and control in order to guarantee the safe utilization of nuclear energy.
Mr. Chairman,
China has always stood for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, and actively promoted the establishment of a world free of nuclear weapons. China has kept its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security. China has never deployed nuclear weapons on foreign territory. China has never taken part and will not take part in any form of nuclear arms race.
China is firmly committed to its nuclear strategy of self-defense. China has adhered to the policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons at any time or under any circumstances, and made the unequivocal commitment that we will unconditionally not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free-zones. Furthermore, China respects and supports the efforts by countries or regions concerned to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones. So far, China has signed and ratified all existing protocols to the Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaties opened for signature.
China firmly opposes any form of nuclear proliferation. We earnestly implement our international non-proliferation obligations, and have actively taken part in international non-proliferation efforts. China has established a complete legislative and regulatory framework of export control which meets international standards.
Aimed at maintaining the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and safeguarding international and regional peace and security, China has always been promoting peaceful solutions to regional nuclear issues. China persists in solving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and consultations. We remain committed to achieving the denuclearization of the Peninsula, as well as maintaining peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia. We will continue our efforts to promote all parties to seek a balanced solution to each others' concerns through the Six-Party Talks and other dialogues, and to de-escalate the current tension.
China also stands for solving the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiation and has played a constructive role in facilitating the dialogue process. China hopes that all relevant parties will promote substantive negotiation to achieve progress, and seek a comprehensive, long-term and appropriate solution in a step-by-step manner.
China attaches great importance to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We have made positive contributions to the international and regional efforts in this regard. China actively supports and takes part in the technical cooperation activities organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency, and makes timely and full contributions to the technical cooperation fund. We have assisted in the smooth running of IAEA's technical cooperation projects within our capacity and actively participated in the international cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Mr. Chairman,
China has made unremitting efforts in the nuclear field. The P5 Working Group on the Glossary of Definitions for Key Nuclear Terms chaired by China started its work in June 2012. The Group held its first meeting successfully in Beijing last September. So far, the P5 experts have reached a preliminary agreement on a list of key nuclear terms. Work on the compilation and translation of the Glossary is scheduled to be concluded in next 2 years. Its outcome will be reported to the 2015 NPT Review Conference. China welcomes the entry-into-force of the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty and the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia. We hope that the outstanding issues related to the relevant Protocols will be resolved at early date. China supports the early convening of an International Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and All Other Weapons of Mass Destruction in 2013. We are ready to work with all parties to achieve this objective.
Mr. Chairman,
The rapid development of globalization has turned human society into a community with a common destiny. We must work together to make full use of the NPT review process to promote the international nuclear disarmament process, to enforce the nuclear non-proliferation regime, to promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy, to improve nuclear safety and security, and to maintain international peace and stability. China is ready to make its contribution to this endeavor.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.