Mr. Chair,

China has taken note of the call by many Member States for the establishment of a zone free of WMDs in the Middle East. The establishment of such a zone was called for in the resolution on the Middle East adopted at the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the NPT and the action plan of the 8th NPT Review Conference in 2010. At present, uncertainties and instabilities in the field of international security have increased significantly, and the multilateral arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation mechanism are facing serious challenges. Under such circumstances, the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other WMDs in the Middle East at an earlier date will help reduce the risk of proliferation of WMDs, curb the momentum of the arms race, enhance mutual trust among regional countries and provide an important guarantee for the long-term stability and peace in the Middle East.

China has always supported the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other WMDs and the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. We also support role of the IAEA in this regard in accordance with its mandate. China stands ready to work with all parties concerned to build more consensus and keep up momentum in the international process of establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons and other WMDs in the Middle East.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.