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Updated May 2008
Nuclear Chronology
2002-2004
16 March 2002
During his visit to the United States, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing expresses his disapproval with the conclusions of the U.S. Nuclear Posture Review. The DOD report allows for the use of nuclear weapons in a conflict over Taiwan in spite of previous U.S. policy that refrained from threatening China over this issue. He further expresses that China wishes that all nuclear weapons be destroyed and also advocates a "no-first-use" policy.
— "USA Must 'Immediately Redress' Recent Mistakes, Chinese Minister Tells Envoy," Xinhua News Agency, 16 March 2002, in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
7 June 2002
At the second summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization the six member states: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan convene and sign the Charter for Shanghai Cooperation Organization which includes a call for a nuclear weapons free zone in Central Asia.
— "SCO Emphasizes Importance of Nuclear Nonproliferation," Xinhua News Agency, 7 June 2002, in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
16 October 2002
China's Vice Foreign Minster Wang Guangya responsible for arms control and disarmament publishes a report on the history of China's nonproliferation policy. The article stresses the importance of diplomacy in resolving nonproliferation issues. He also advocates the necessity to avoid sanctions as a response to proliferation events.
— Wang Guangya "Keep on Improving Non-Proliferation Mechanism and Promote World Peace and Development," People's Daily, 17 October 2002, in "PRC MFA Publishes Wang Guangya's Article on China's Nonproliferation Policy," OSC Document CPP20021021000017.
14 November 2002
Liu Jieyi, the director general of the department of arms control and disarmament at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirms China's commitment to nonproliferation policy at the luncheon keynote address of the annual Carnegie International Nonproliferation Conference. According to Liu, China commits to fully implement its nuclear-related export control regulations including its "Nuclear Export Control List" and "Export Control List of Nuclear Dual-use Items and Related Technologies," as well as items covered under the Zangger Committee and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
— "PRC Arms Control Department Head on Nonproliferation Policy," Beijing Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, 14 November 2002, OSC Document CPP20021120000082. Liu Jieyi, "Luncheon Keynote Address at the Carnegie International Non-Proliferation Conference To Take up Challenges With Strengthened Solidarity and Cooperation: A Perspective on International Non-Proliferation Prospect and China's Policy," Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, 14 November 2002, <http://www.nti.org/db/china/engdocs/
liujy_1102.htm>
9 December 2002
The Chinese government publishes its first defense white paper entitled "China's National Defense in 2002." The 2002 white paper outlines China's national defense policy, its security outlook and affirms China's stance on nuclear weapons. It states that, "China consistently upholds the policy of no first use of nuclear weapons, and adopts an extremely restrained attitude toward the development of nuclear weapons."
--"Full Text of China's National Defense White Paper 2002," Xinhua News Agency, 9 December 2002, OSC Document CPP20021209000216.
27 January 2003
The Chinese government produces an investigative report analyzing the effects of the nuclear capacity of neighboring states on China's national security. A military professor is quoted in the report stating "As to the nuclear security of China, the strongest guarantee is that we have a strong enough anti-nuclear power." He asserts "China's national defense strategy is a domestic defense strategy. We have always emphasized the principle and stance of not using nuclear weapons first. However, China's strategic nuclear weapon standard is at the forefront of the world. It is sufficient to guarantee the country's nuclear security."
— Cheng Gang "China Has No Problem with its Nuclear Security," Beijing Huanqiu Shibao, 27 January 2003, in "PRC Paper Says China Has High Level of Nuclear Security," OSC Document CPP20030129000077.
31 March 2003
At the 2003 United Nations Disarmament Commission, China proposes a 10-point agenda for arms control. According to head of the Chinese delegation, Hu Xiaodi, missile defense systems and outer-space weapons "have been particularly worrisome," and could threaten the sustainability of the arms control regime.
— "China Puts Forth Proposals for Disarmament," Xinhua News Agency, 31 March 2003, OSC Document CPP20030331000210.
30 July 2003
China's first nuclear weapons facility is turned into a museum and is now open to the public. This former production facility, No 221 Plant, is located in Qinghai Province in the Tibetan Autonomous region.
— "China's First Nuclear Weapons Production Base Opens to Public in Qinghai," Xinhua News Agency, 30 July 2003, in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
4 September 2003
Zhang Yan, head of the Chinese delegation to the 2003 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) conference, expresses his concern with nonproliferation issues at the conference. According to Zhang's statement: "The conclusion of the CTBT represents a major step of milestone significance toward comprehensive and complete nuclear disarmament and a world free of nuclear weapons."
— "China Urges International Consensus on Nuclear Test Ban Treaty," Xinhua News Agency, 4 September 2003, OSC Document CPP20030904000077.
18 November 2003
At a regular Foreign Ministry press briefing, spokesperson Liu Jianchao denies CIA claims that China has been involved in covert nuclear weapon technology transfers to Pakistan under the guises of nuclear power cooperation. Liu affirms that China's nuclear cooperation with Pakistan is only for peaceful application.
— "Transcript of PRC FM Spokesman Press Conference," Beijing Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, 18 November 2003, OSC Document CPP20031119000186.
3 December 2003
The Chinese State Council publishes its 2003 white paper entitled "China's Non-Proliferation Policy and Measures," emphasizing that China has signed all international nonproliferation treaties. It reports that China has also been involved in IAEA programs and counter-terrorism measures. The paper claims that China has created a sufficient legal framework for addressing proliferation concerns as was as implemented extensive export controls.
— "China Signs All International Treaties on Non-Proliferation: White Paper," Xinhua News Agency, 3 December 2003, in "PRC White Paper: China Signs All International Treaties on Non-Proliferation," OSC Document CPP20031203000069. "China's Non-Proliferation Policy and Measures," Information Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, December 2003, <http://www.china.org.cn/e-white/20031202/index.htm>
26 January 2004
Zhang Yan, China's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, submits an application for China to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group to the current NSG president Cho Chang-beom of South Korea. Zhang also sent a message to the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed M. ElBaradei to make him aware of the application.
— "China Applies To Join Nuclear Suppliers Group," Xinhua News Agency, 27 January 2004, available via China Daily, <http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/
doc/2004-01/27/content_301160.htm>.
18 February 2004
At a Foreign Ministry News Conference, the Chinese government pledges to investigate its ties to nuclear weapons blueprints found by international inspectors in Libya. The detailed blueprints of a 500kg nuclear weapon are believed to have been transferred to Pakistan in the early 1980s and from there the designs made their way to Libya. Foreign Minister Zhang Qiyue states that "China expresses its concern about the relevant reports. We are trying to learn more about the circumstances."
— Stephen Fidler, "China to Investigate Libya Report Nuclear Weapon Blueprints," Financial Times, 18 February 2004, in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
27 April 2004
Ambassador Hu Xiaodi, at the Third Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2005 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, notes that China is opposed to military strikes of civilian-use nuclear facilities of other countries. China also supports the "Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material." According to Hu it is necessary to "correctly handle the relationship between nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy."
— Chen Jian, "China Opposes Authorizing a Country To Launch Military Strikes Against the Civilian-Use Nuclear Facilities of Another Country," Beijing Zhongguo Xinwen She, 27 April 2004, in "PRC Envoy: China Opposes Military Strikes on Civilian-Use Nuclear Facilities," OSC Document CPP20040427000127.
28 May 2004
China is accepted into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) at the group's plenary meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden. At a press conference later in Beijing, Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao states that "China supports the NSG's positive role, objectives and principles in nuclear nonproliferation."
— Chen Gang, "China Joins Nuclear Suppliers Group," Xinhua News Agency, 28 May 2004, in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
1 June 2004
Taiwan's military magazine produces a defense report stating that China is improving the Long March 1D (CZ-1D) rocket which is capable of delivering a nuclear warhead. The CZ-1D rocket's 200km payload is up to 1,000kg, and its 500km payload is 600kg. This rocket is used primarily as a space launch vehicle. China is also modifying its nuclear capable Dongfan-4 (DF-4) and CZ-4D missiles.
— Lin Changsheng, "A Major Power's Long Sword (Red Nuclear Terror in Asia [as published])," Taipei Ch'uan-Ch'iu Fang-Wei Tsa-Chih, 1 June 2004, in "Taiwan Military Magazine Discusses 'Hidden Power' of PRC Second Artillery," OSC Document CPP20040702000196, p. 51-55.
3 June 2004
Foreign Minister, Natwar Singh proposes that in order to maintain global stability, India, Pakistan and China should share a common nuclear doctrine.
— Pravin Sawhney, "Different Nuclear Doctrines," New Dehli The Pioneer, 3 June 2004, in "Indian Analyst Says Proposal of Common Nuclear Doctrine With China 'Unrealistic'," OSC Document SAP20040603000050.
19 June 2004
Delegates to China's National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference call for a review of China's no-first-use nuclear policy. The delegates suggest the use of nuclear weapons against Taiwan if they try to destroy the Three Gorges Dam.
— Guo Shiping, "China Told to Use Nukes if Taiwan Hits Dam; Some Parliamentary Delegates Call on Beijing to Retract its No-First-Use Pledge to Deter 'Terrorist Acts' Like Dam Strike," Straits Times, 19 June 2004, in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
20 September 2004
Zhang Huazhu, head of the Chinese delegation to the 48th session of the General Conference of the IAEA states that "China opposes proliferation of nuclear weapons in all forms, and actively takes part in international cooperation in non- proliferation." He also announces that China will donate one million dollars to the IAEA.
— "PRC Rep to IAEA: China Pursues Policy of Nuclear Non-Proliferation," Xinhua News Agency, 20 September 2004, OSC Document CPP20040920000283. "China Daily 'Opinion': China Contributes in Bid To Avert Nuclear Crises," China Daily, 23 September 2004, OSC Document CPP20040923000017.
14 October 2004
During a visit to the PRC, Russian president Vladimir Putin signs a joint declaration with Chinese president Hu Jintao pledging cooperation on nonproliferation issues with the aim to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The declaration is intended to strengthen UN Resolution 1540 and the NPT.
— "Russia and China Pledge to Develop Nonproliferation and Nuclear Export Control Cooperation," International Export Control Observer, October/November 2004, <http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/observer/asian/
pdfs/aeco_0410.pdf>
16 October 2004
China celebrates the 40th anniversary of its first successful atomic bomb test through a commemoration of Chinese scientists, army veterans and students. The students and scientists are from Malan of northwest China's Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region and Qinghua University in Beijing.
— "China Marks Anniversary of First Chinese Atomic Bomb," Xinhua News Agency, 16 October 2004, in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
7 November 2004
The Indian Defense Ministry expresses concern over China's military modernization on the Tibetan border in its annual report. According to the report, India is carefully observing Beijing's "military modernization, nuclear and missile arsenals, and continental and maritime aspirations."
— S. N. M. Abdi, "India Worries About China's Military Build-Up in Tibet," South China Morning Post, 7 November 2004, in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
27 December 2004
China stresses the need to extend protection for non-nuclear weapons states in its white paper on China's National Defense in 2004. The report also encourages nuclear-weapons states progress in arms control at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva which is described as being in "deadlock." The white paper also states that "The Fissile Materials Cut-Off Treaty is of great significance to preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and facilitating the nuclear disarmament process. China supports an early conclusion of the treaty through negotiations."
— "China Calls for Security Assurances for Non-Nuclear Armed States," Xinhua News Agency, 27 December 2004, in Lexis Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. "China Daily: White Paper Spells Out Non-Nuclear Approach," China Daily, 28 December 2004, OSC Document CPP20041228000011. "Xinhua: 'Full Text' of White Paper Titled China's National Defense in 2004," Xinhua News Agency, 27 December 2004, OSC Document, CPP20041227000034, in <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/whitepaper/
defense2004/defense2004.html>.
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 © 2008
by MIIS.
