Mr. Chairman,
The establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones is an important step towards the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. It has great significance in advancing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation as well as promoting global and regional peace and security.
Mr. Chairman,
China always supports the efforts of non-nuclear-weapon states to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the States of the region concerned. China also undertakes unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones.
Mr. Chairman,
The establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction is conducive to preventing nuclear proliferation and strengthening the international non-proliferation regime, as well as improving regional security environment, and promoting the Middle East peace process.
Implementing the Resolution on Middle East adopted by the 1995 NPT Review Conference is an important agenda item of the NPT review process which should be addressed appropriately. The Final Document adopted by the 2010 NPT Review Conference reaffirmed the importance of this resolution and the objective of the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction. It also decided to convene a conference in 2012, to be attended by all States of the Middle East, on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction. In addition, since 1974, successive sessions of the UN General Assembly have adopted resolutions on "Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East", which urge all parties to take practical steps to promote the establishment a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East. China believes that all parties should fully demonstrate their political will, earnestly implement the aforementioned resolutions and agreement to actively promote the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction.
Mr. Chairman,
China always supports the efforts of regional states to establish a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the States of the region concerned. China is regretful that an International Conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction was unable to be convened in 2012. We hope that relevant parties will bridge the differences through dialogue and consultations, and convene this Conference at an early date in 2013. China will, together with the international community, continue to make our own contribution to the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction and the realization of peace and security in the Middle East.
The Chinese Delegation has submitted a working paper on Nuclear-weapon-free zones and nuclear issues in the Middle East (WP.30) which elaborates China's relevant positions. We hope the elements contained therein will be reflected in the report of this PrepCom
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.