Madam Chair,
China takes note of the reference by some states under the Any Other Business Item of this Board session to the Treaty of the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
China understands the wishes and aspirations of the non-nuclear-weapon states to advance the nuclear disarmament process. Since the very first day of possessing nuclear weapons, China has been actively advocating for a complete prohibition and a thorough destruction of nuclear weapons and solemnly undertaken not to be the first to use nuclear weapons under any circumstances, undertaken not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states and has maintained its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security. This is the consistent fundamental policy. When it comes the ultimate objective of a complete and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, China's position is in conformity with the Treaty.
At the same time, nuclear disarmament process cannot be isolated from the international security reality and should be advanced step by step on the basis of the principles of "maintaining global strategic stability" and "undiminished security for all". Nuclear disarmament process should be addressed under the existing international disarmament and non-proliferation regimes on the basis of the consensus principle. China will continue to, within the frameworks of the UNGA1st Committee, Disarmament Conference, the NPT Review Process and the P5 Process, participate in the discussions on nuclear disarmament and other related issues, promote the nuclear disarmament process in a rational, practical and effective manner and make relentless efforts to maintain global strategic balance and stability and to build a nuclear-weapon-free world. We stand ready to maintain constructive communications with all parties.
Thank you, Madam Chair.