Mr. President,

The Third Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2015 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference is well-timed and very necessary. At present, fundamental and complicated changes are taking place in the international security landscape. Finding ways to maintain international security and strategic stability and promote global nuclear governance is a common desire of the international community today. NPT review process is an important platform for the global nuclear governance. We should grasp the opportunity provided by 2015 NPT Review Conference and use our collective wisdom to further improve the global nuclear governance and push forward the overall process of establishing a nuclear-weapon-free world.

Mr. President,

China attaches great importance to the global nuclear governance. President Xi Jinping put forward China's approach to nuclear security during the Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague this March, and gave an important speech on the overall national security approach in mid April. President Xi Jinping emphasized that "China must attach importance to both external and internal security. Domestically, China will pursue development, reform, stability and a safe environment. Externally, China will seek peace, cooperation, a win-win situation and a harmonious world. China must emphasize both development and security. China will not only pay attention to its own security, but also to collective security. China will seek to form a community of common destiny and advocate that all parties involved seek mutual benefits and interests and common security. " This position reflects the concept of China of international security, and is the fundamental principle of China's participation in international security affairs in general, and in global nuclear governance in particular. 

As to how to strengthen global nuclear governance and maintain international security and strategic stability, China proposed five points for global nuclear governance at Beijing P5 Conference: first, universal security should serve as the fundamental goal; second, the leadership role of the P5 States should be a major driving force; third, multilateral mechanism is the core of global nuclear governance; fourth, balanced progress and consensus should be the basic principle; fifth, broad participation is a critical guarantee.

I would like to elaborate on the above views and propositions in the context of the approach to nuclear security announced by China's national leader and China's policies and practices on the matter:

First, why should we take universal security as the fundamental goal?

The world today is a community with common destiny. The states are economically inter-dependent and rise or fall together in security. To thoroughly eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons, prevent the proliferation of these weapons and better utilize nuclear energy for the well-being of mankind, we must have universal security. To achieve this, we should work to build an international environment of peace and stability and eliminate the root causes of conflicts and unrest. We should fully respect and accommodate the legitimate security concerns of all countries and discard zero-sum thinking and cold-war mindset. We should develop international relations based on mutual understanding and trust, and dissolve disputes and distrust through dialogue on equal footing.

To promote universal security,China is firmly committed to nuclear strategy of self-defence, and is of the view that the nuclear-weapon states should abandon the nuclear deterrence policy based on the preemptive nuclear strike and undertake not to seek permanent possession of nuclear weapons. China believes that we should take an integrated approach, addressing both the symptoms and the root causes of nuclear proliferation.China insists on addressing non-proliferation issues through political and diplomatic approaches and rejecting double standards. China advocates that the legitimate rights of peaceful uses of nuclear energy of all states should be fully safeguarded, the international cooperation be promoted and the assistance to developing countries be increased.

Second, why should the P5 states play the leadership role?

The five nuclear-weapon states are the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and as such they shoulder the important mission of maintaining the global peace and stability, and also play a leading role in global nuclear governance. It has been proved in the history that as long as the P5 States deepen their strategic mutual trust and enhance their unity and coordination, nuclear issues can be addressed effectively, putting the global nuclear governance and the international security and strategic stability in the right direction.  

In April 2014, China hosted the Beijing P5 Conference. The P5 States exchanged views on the major issue of global nuclear governance, including international security and strategic stability, nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, and peaceful use of nuclear energy. The P5 States issued a joint statement, which elaborated the P5 States' strategic plans and concrete measures on related issues. China invited all the delegates to visit the CTBT National Data Center. The head of delegations of the P5 States also exchanged views with representatives from academic community, non-governmental organizations and the media. These belong to the important measures taken by China to help the P5 States play a leadership role in global nuclear governance.

Third, why should we maintain the multilateral mechanisms in the nuclear field?

After decades of efforts, the international community has gradually set up a set of multilateral mechanisms with the UN General Assembly's First Committee, United Nations Disarmament Committee, Conference on Disarmament, International Atomic Energy Agency and NPT Review process as key components. These mechanisms have become the core platforms for all states to seek peace, security and development, and promote global nuclear governance. We can only guarantee effective participation of the all the key actors, accommodate as much as possible the legitimate interests and concerns of all the parties, and ensure that the issues concerned get discussed and positive results achieved when the existing multilateral mechanisms are allowed to fully play their pivotal role. Getting rid of the existing mechanisms and starting all over again is neither in the right direction nor feasible.

China always upholds multilateralism, and fully participates in the work of related multilateral mechanisms. China maintains that the universality, authority and effectiveness of the NPT should be enhanced. China has been voting in support of the important UNGA resolutions in the nuclear field and supports the Conference on Disarmament to adopt a comprehensive and balanced programme of work and conduct its substantive work, including immediately starting the FMCT negotiations. China also supports the work of the IAEA in this regard.

Fourth, why should we stick to the basic principles of balanced progress and consensus?

The nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy as the three pillars of the NPT are equally important, underpinning the overall international nuclear order. We must attach equal importance to all the three pillars and promote them in a balanced manner. Meanwhile, as the nuclear issues are related to the international security and strategic stability as well as the vital security and development interests of all the countries, scientific and democratic decisions on these issues must be made by consensus and through discussions on equal footing.

China is of the view that the three pillars of the NPT should be promoted in a holistic and balanced manner. We hold that every country should be allowed to enjoy its full right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy while fulfilling earnestly its nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation obligations.China respects and insists on the principle of consensus, believing that relevant concerns should be addressed through dialogue and consultations.China also believes that targets should be established and the objectives of the NPT should be implemented collectively.

Fifth, why should we ensure the broad participation of international community?

Global nuclear governance is not the responsibility of one single country, neither is it the exclusive responsibility of governments. We must ensure that all countries play their role as stakeholders, and initiatives of international and regional organizations, NGOs and civil society should also be mobilized to form a pattern of broad participation, active interaction and realization of mutual-benefits.

China attaches great importance to the engagement and cooperation with other governments, international and regional organizations, NGOs and civil society in the process of global nuclear governance. China not only actively makes its own efforts and contributions, but also draws lessons and wisdoms from other parties. China will integrates its work into the overall efforts of the international community.

Mr. President,

Relationship with neighbouring countries is at the top of China's diplomatic agenda. When engaging with our neighbours, China is guided by the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. China is fully committed to maintaining regional peace and security, and promoting security cooperation with neighbouring countries. Hence, China fully respects and actively supports the aspirations and efforts of regional countries to establish a nuclear weapons free zone.

The five nuclear weapons states and the Central Asian countries will soon jointly launch a signing ceremony of the Protocol to the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia. The Chinese Government will sign the Protocol. This is an important step to implement the above principle and to deepen regional security cooperation, showing the firm commitment by China to maintaining peace, stability and development inCentral Asia.

China respects Mongolia's nuclear-weapon-free status. China together with the other four nuclear weapon states issued again a joint statement in 2012, reiterating their support for Mongolia's nuclear-weapon-free status and  security assurances to the country. Meanwhile, China is in favor of signing the Protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty at the earliest possible time, and supports the efforts to establish a WMD-free zone in the Middle East and the convening of the international conference on this issue at an early date. China will work with all the parties in making untiring efforts to achieve the above-mentioned goals.

Mr. President,

As required by the Action Plan of the NPT Review Conference in 2010, China submitted to the third Prepcom its national report on implementation of the NPT. The report of China has four distinct features: first, the nuclear policy part elaborated the history and cultural origins of China's nuclear strategy based on self-defence. Second, the report gave an overview of China's engagement in the exchanges with foreign counterparts in nuclear field. Third, the report systematically elaborated the efforts made by China in nuclear nonproliferation. Fourth, it provided a full picture of China's endeavours to promote peaceful use of nuclear energy and enhance international cooperation in nuclear safety and security, and offered the experience of China in raising public awareness in this regard.

Mr. President,

Strengthening the global nuclear governance, achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world, and making nuclear energy to benefit the whole mankind is in the interests of the entire international community. China stands ready to make even greater contribution, so that the global nuclear governance can bring more benefits to the people from round the world, and forge a close link between the China Dream and the dreams of all the people around the world.

Thank you, Mr. President.