Mr. Chairman,
The proliferation of nuclear weapon has a direct bearing on global and regional peace and stability, as well as the well-being of all peoples. Strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and eliminating nuclear proliferation risk are elements inherent in efforts to preserve the Treaty of Non-Proliferation. It serves the common interest of the international community, and is a shared challenge for all states.
China believes root causes of nuclear proliferation are complex and that both causes and symptoms of nuclear proliferation should be addressed through an integrated approach. Efforts for nuclear non-proliferation should be strengthened within the framework of global nuclear governance.
Firstly, to strive to build up a peaceful and stable international security environment. States should establish a security concept characterized as common, integrated, cooperative and sustainable, embrace the idea of community of common destiny for mankind. They should discard zero-sum thinking and the cold-war mindset, and fully respect and accommodate the legitimate security concern of each state, to achieve the universal security and eliminate root causes of nuclear proliferation.
Secondly, to stick to the peaceful settlement for proliferation issues via political and diplomatic endeavor. State should adhere to dialogue and negotiation within the framework of existing international laws to address relevant concern, and refrain from reflexively resorting to sanctions, the use or threat of force and should not use non-proliferation as an excuse for pursuing other aims.
Thirdly, to enhance the authority and effectiveness of a fair and equitable international nuclear non-proliferation regime. States should discard double standards and utilitarianism, implement obligations of the Treaty in a comprehensive, faithful and balanced manner. They should avoid setting non-proliferation standards according to the existence or absence of affinities between states, uphold multilateralism and continuously reinforce the fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory nature of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime on the basis of universal participation and democratic decision-making.
Fourthly, to consolidate and strengthen the Treaty’s status as the cornerstone of international non-proliferation regime, and improve its universality. States that have not yet joined the Treaty should do so as non-nuclear-weapon States as soon as possible and place all of their nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in accordance with Treaty provisions. The role of the United Nations and other relevant international organizations and mechanisms should be fully utilized. Earnest efforts should also be made to promote the universality of the IAEA comprehensive safeguards agreements and additional protocols. All states should support the efforts of the Zangger Committee and the Nuclear Suppliers Group in this regard.
Fifthly, to handle the relationship between nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy following the principle of fairness and balance. Preventing proliferation nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful use of nuclear energy are not collided with each other, but are mutually reinforcing. Any measures taken to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons should not undermine the legitimate rights of states to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, all proliferation activities carried out under the pretext of peaceful use should be prohibited.
Mr. Chairman,
China is firmly committed to preserving and promoting the authority, universality and effectiveness of the Treaty. China firmly opposes any forms of nuclear proliferation, fulfills its obligations in a serious and comprehensive manner and implement relevant United Nation Security Council Resolutions. In recent years, China has worked in a relentless way to strengthen and improve its national non-proliferation regime in areas such as mechanism building, law making and enforcement capacity enhancing, as to ensure effective implementation of non-proliferation policies.
Mr. Chairman,
As the permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible stakeholder, China actively takes part into the relevant international cooperation, and has made unremitting endeavor in promoting political and diplomatic resolution of relevant hop-spot nuclear proliferation issues.
China welcomes the conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iranian nuclear issue in July 2015, and appreciates the progress made since the implementation day of the JCPOA. As a member of P5+1 countries, China has actively participated in the negotiation, and contributed “Chinese Wit” and “Chinese Plan” to the conclusion of the agreement. The JCPOA is an international agreement concluded by the P5+1 and Iran after long-term tough negotiations, and has been endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. All parties should strengthen political will, faithfully fulfill their obligations, and to jointly maintain and implement the JCPOA. Thanks to the hard work in previous negotiations,Chinese and Iranian companies initialed their first commercial contract on the renovation of the Arak heavy-water reactor on April 23rd,which marked the renovation work has entered the stage of implementation, and reflected China’s responsible attitude and firmly support to the JCPOA.
For the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, China persists in achieving the denuclearization of the Peninsula, persists in maintaining the peace and stability of the Peninsula and persists in solving the issue through dialogue and consultation. Parities involved should continue opposing developing or deploying nuclear weapons in the Korean Peninsula, faithfully and comprehensively implement relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, and keep calm and restrained to alleviate tension in this region with a responsible manner. In order to pull back this issue getting back to the negotiating table at an early date, China has raised the “dual-track approach” and “suspension for suspension” proposal, we hope relevant parties can give well considerations over them.
Mr. Chairman,
The Chinese delegation has submitted a working paper on the issue of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons which elaborates China's relevant positions. We hope the elements contained therein will be reflected in the report of this PrepCom.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.