Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

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The NPT PrepCom 2003: Acronym Special Coverage

III. Thematic (Cluster) Debates: Statements, Working Papers and Supporting Material

Non-Proliferation (Cluster 1: Articles I and II)

Statement by China, May 5

'Statement by the Chinese Delegation to the 2nd PrepCom for 2005 NPT RevCon on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, May 5, 2003, Geneva'; Chinese Mission to the UN in Geneva, http://www.china-un.ch/eng/index.html.

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.

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.

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.

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. ...

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© 2003 The Acronym Institute.