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Statement by the Chinese Delegation to the 2nd PrepCom for 2005 NPT RevCon on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
5 May 2003
Mr. Chairman,
The prevention of nuclear weapons proliferation is an effective and essential
step towards the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear
weapons. It is not only conducive to international peace and stability but also
in conformity with the international trend of cooperation and development
demanded by all peoples. Nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament are
mutually complementary. The efforts made by the international community to
prevent nuclear weapons proliferation are an indispensable part of the
international nuclear disarmament process.
The fundamental guarantee to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons is to
build the global security environment of cooperation and mutual trust, and
ensure common security for all members of the international community, thereby
eliminating the incentives for some States to acquire, develop and maintain
nuclear weapons. The correct and effective way to prevent the proliferation of
nuclear weapons is to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on an equal footing
among States, and to address concerns about nuclear proliferation in strict
accordance with the obligations and procedures stipulated in the relevant
international legal instruments. It is our belief that international disputes
should be settled through political means instead of resorting to the wanton use
or threat of force.
Mr. Chairman,
Whoever owns nuclear weapons, they should be completely prohibited and
thoroughly destroyed. It is not appropriate to apply double or multiple
standards to nuclear non-proliferation if putting undue emphasis on
non-proliferation while neglecting nuclear disarmament obligation, and demanding
others for nuclear non-proliferation while shelving one’s own nuclear
disarmament commitments. In this connection, each and every States Parties to
the NPT should strictly abide by and fully implement its obligations under the
Treaty.
China is committed to strengthen the universality, effectiveness and integrity
of the NPT. We welcome and appreciate Cuba’s decision to join in the NPT family.
We appeal to those countries that have not yet acceded to the NPT to do so
unconditionally at an early date and to place all their nuclear facilities under
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards in accordance with the
Treaty.
Mr. Chairman,
As a state party to the NPT, China has always adopted a serious and responsible
approach towards the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. China strongly
opposes the proliferation of nuclear weapons in any form. We have steadfastly
pursued a policy of not supporting, encouraging, or assisting other countries in
developing nuclear weapons. China has actively participated in international
nuclear non-proliferation efforts, and exercised stringent administration and
control over its nuclear related exports. Current international practices as
end-user and end-use guarantee system, licensing system, control list and the
“catch-all” principle have all been adopted by China. China’s Nuclear Export
Control List and Export Control List of Nuclear Dual-use Items and Related
Technologies cover all the items and technologies contained in the “Zangger
Committee” list and the control list of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
China has actively supported and participated in the IAEA safeguards activities.
China submitted nine nuclear facilities to be placed under the IAEA safeguards.
At present, the IAEA is safeguarding three Chinese nuclear facilities. The
Protocol Additional to the Safeguards Agreement has become effective to China,
thus making China the first among the five nuclear-weapon States to complete its
domestic legal procedure to this effect. We hope the countries concerned will
take positive steps towards this direction.
Mr. Chairman,
Today, as the non-traditional threats and terrorism are on the rise, prevention
of nuclear weapons proliferation and nuclear terror has assumed even greater
significance and urgency. Countries should, taking into account of its own
situation, enact and strengthen national laws and regulations on physical
protection in order to prevent nuclear material from being acquired and nuclear
facilities from being targeted by terrorists. China supports IAEA to step up
efforts in this regard. China has actively participated in amending the
Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. China will, based on the
agreement reached by all parties, make its contribution to the strengthened
international efforts in nuclear non-proliferation and counter nuclear
terrorism.
Based on the above positions, the Chinese Delegation submitted the working paper
on the prevention of nuclear weapons proliferation, which we hope will be
adequately reflected in the concluding document of this PrepCom.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin
Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of
International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the
opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or
its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2007 by
MIIS.
