Mr. Chairman,

First of all, please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese Delegation, to congratulate you on your assumption of the Chairmanship of this session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2015 NPT Review Conference and I would like to thank you for the tremendous work you have done for the successful convening of the meeting. I am confident that with your rich experience and wisdom, you will guide this session to a fruitful outcome. The Chinese Delegation assures you of our full support and cooperation.

Mr. Chairman,

This Session represents the beginning of a new cycle of the NPT (hereinafter referred to as "the treaty") review process. China sincerely hope that all State Parties to the Treaty could make full use of this session to examine the current situation and tasks we are facing, and carry out in-depth discussions and make on-time sum-up based on the experience and lessons achieved from previous review cycles, so as to find the right direction and lay solid foundation for the smooth advance of the 9th Review Cycle.

For over 40 years, the Treaty, as the cornerstone of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, has played an irreplaceable role in preventing the proliferation of the nuclear arms and promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and has contributed significantly to safeguarding international peace and security. The 2010 Review Conference for the Treaty has for another time, after 10 years, adopted the final document and outlined action plan to promoting the three goals of the treaty, which fully demonstrated the willingness and determination of the State Parties to the Treaty in supporting the treaty and strengthening the international non-proliferation regime.

At this stage, the goal of complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons and establishment of a world free of nuclear weapons is widely recognized, and the consensus for non-proliferation is building in the international community, while the demand for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy is still strong. The international society is taking practical steps in enhancing nuclear security and safety. All these have created favorable conditions for maintaining and strengthening the Treaty.

It should also be noted that there are many problems in nuclear fields which cannot be neglected. The processes to solve regional nuclear issues are encountering twists and turns, the contradiction between non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy are outstanding, the risks that terrorist and non-state actors encroaching on nuclear weapons are increasing. There are many problems remaining to be solved in fields of nuclear security and nuclear safety, the universality of the Treaty is yet to be strengthened and there are still many challenges facing us in order to achieve the comprehensive and thorough implementation of the Treaty.

Chinese people cherish peace and adhere to the path of peaceful development. We are devoted to maintaining world peace, promoting common development and win-win cooperation. Under the new international security situation, Chinese government actively advocates the new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation and actively pursues universal security, common security and cooperative security. We are willing to work together with all state parties, to keep the momentum in the Review Cycle and take the opportunity of the implementation of the final document of the 8th Review Conference, to promote the three goals of the Treaty in a comprehensive and balanced way so that the Treaty could play a bigger role in maintaining international peace and security, promoting the economic and social developments of all states.

Mr. Chairman,

The complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons and establishing a world free of nuclear weapons are the common aspiration of all the peace-loving people from all countries of the world. China stands for the following,

All nuclear-weapon states should fulfill in good faith obligations under article VI of the NPT, and publicly undertake not to seek permanent possession of nuclear weapons. As countries with largest nuclear arsenals, US and Russia should continue to make drastic reductions in their nuclear arsenals in a verifiable and irreversible manner. Other nuclear-weapon states, when conditions are ripe, should also join the multilateral negotiations on nuclear disarmament. The international community should develop, at an appropriate time, a viable, long-term plan composed of phased actions, including the conclusion of a convention on the complete prohibition of nuclear weapons.

Nuclear-weapon states should abandon the nuclear deterrence policy based on the first use of nuclear weapons and earnestly reduce the risks of nuclear weapons. The nuclear-weapon states should unequivocally undertake not to be the first to use nuclear weapons and negotiate and conclude the Treaty on Mutual No-First-Use of Nuclear Weapons. Nuclear-weapon states should also unequivocally undertake unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states and nuclear-weapon-free zones and should conclude an international legal instrument in this regard at an early date.

Nuclear disarmament is closely linked to the global strategic stability. The development of missile defense systems which disrupt global strategic balance and stability should be abandoned, and multilateral negotiation process to prevent the weaponization of and arms race in outer space should be vigorously promoted, so as to foster favorable international strategic security environment for nuclear disarmament.

Mr. Chairman,

Ever since the first day it came into possession of nuclear weapons, China has undertaken not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time or under any circumstances and made the unequivocal commitment that we will unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states and nuclear-weapon-free zones. China is firmly committed to a nuclear strategy of self-defense and will continue to keep its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security. China has never deployed any nuclear weapons on foreign territory or taken part in any nuclear arms race in any form and will never do that in the future.

China supports the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and is dedicated to promoting its early entry into force. China supports the early commencement of FMCT negotiation in the Conference on Disarmament. China participates actively in the joint efforts of the P5 in implementing the final document of the NPT 8th Review Conference. And we are chairing the P5 Working Group on Glossary of Definitions for Key Nuclear Terms. We will definitely push forward relevant work.

Mr. Chairman,

In order to realize the establishment of nuclear weapon free world and ensure the full exercise of all states' rights to peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the risks of nuclear weapon proliferation must be eliminated. China stands for the following,

All countries should make efforts to foster an international security environment of cooperation and trust, and respect the security concerns of each other. Practices of pragmatism and double standards must be discarded. All parties should pursue peaceful solution to regional nuclear issues through political and diplomatic means and should work hard to eliminate the root causes which lead to nuclear weapons proliferation.

We should consolidate and enhance the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, strengthen the universality, authority and effectiveness of the Treaty. We should strengthen the safeguards function of the International Atomic Energy Agency and promote the effective implementation and universal adherence of the comprehensive safeguards agreements and its additional protocols.

We should strengthen the security of the nuclear materials and facilities, combat nuclear terrorism and strengthen our export control system and facilitate international cooperation in this regard.

Mr. Chairman,

China firmly opposes any form of nuclear proliferation. It has fulfilled its international non-proliferation obligations in a highly responsible and constructive manner, and has taken active part in international non-proliferation efforts. China has acceded to all relevant international treaties and mechanisms, put in place a complete legislative and regulatory framework of export control and taken effective steps to ensure its implementation.

President Hu jintao has attended two Nuclear Security Summits and has made important statements, which demonstrates that China has attached great importance to nuclear security issue. China has always been dedicated in strengthening national nuclear security capabilities and abides by its international obligations in this regard strictly. China carries our international cooperation extensively and provides nuclear security assistance actively. China is willing to work hand in hand with other states to address the challenges of nuclear security.

To solve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and consultations in a peaceful manner, achieve the denuclearization of the Peninsula through dialogue and maintain the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia are the resolute and firm position of the Chinese Government. China will continue to make unremitting efforts in this regard and all parties should keep calm, exercise restraint, continue in engagement and dialogue, and ameliorate relationship mutually so as to restart the Six-Party Talks at an earlier date and achieve the goal of denuclearization of the Peninsula and the long security of the Northeast Asia.

China welcomes the positive results from the resumption of talks between the P5+1 and Iran in Istanbul not long ago. We hope that the P5+1 and Iran could, based on the mutual understanding achieved from the dialogue, follow the principle of step-by-step and reciprocity, and move to the same direction and cooperate sincerely, make more efforts for resolving the Iranian Nuclear issue through diplomatic means. China is willing to work with all parties, actively engage in promoting peace and talks, and continue to play a constructive role in promoting the peaceful settlement of Iranian Nuclear issue.

Mr. Chairman,

Promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy bears great significance for the international society in coping with the challenges brought by energy crisis and climate change. China stands for the following,

The legitimate rights of peaceful uses of nuclear energy of all states parties should be fully safeguarded and cannot be restricted for the cause of preventing proliferation. The non-nuclear weapon states, in their activities of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, should also abide by their international obligations on non-proliferation.

All states should promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy and related international cooperation. The International Atomic Energy Agency should play a bigger role in this regard. Countries capable of doing so should actively assist developing countries in developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

We should sum-up the lessons from nuclear accidents seriously and strengthen relevant international cooperation, enhance nuclear security measures and increase the abilities to prevent and manage nuclear accidents.

Mr. Chairman,

China attaches great importance to promote its own development through the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It has actively carried out cooperation and exchanges with relevant countries and the IAEA on peaceful uses of nuclear energy, under the prerequisite of strictly abiding by non-proliferation obligations stipulated in the NPT and within its own capability. It has made positive contributions to the cause of peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the region and in the world at large.

During the development and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the Chinese Government has always been placing high importance on nuclear safety issue and sticks to the principle of safety first. China will continue to take effective measures, strictly implement relevant international obligations and develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy in an active and proper way. We will continue to actively participate in relevant international cooperation in this regard. The Chinese Government provided prompt assistance to the Japanese Government right after the Fukushima Nuclear Accident. In 2011, Mr. Zhang Dejiang, Vice Premier of China's State Council, as the representative of President Hu Jintao, attended the Kiev Summit for the Safe and Innovative Use of Nuclear Energy and the Chernobyl Projects Completion Pledging Conference. China has volunteered to contribute 4 Million Euros to assist Ukraine in finishing nuclear safety projects related to Chernobyl. China will work with other states to seek the effective way to strengthen nuclear safety.

Mr. Chairman,

China always respects and supports efforts by relevant countries and regions in establishing nuclear-weapon-free zones. China has ratified relevant protocols to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty and the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. China welcomes the entry into force of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia, and respects and welcomes Mongolia's nuclear-weapon-free status. China has played a constructive role in solving the remaining issues related to the Protocol of Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. We are looking forward to, together with all other relevant parties, promoting the early signature of the Protocol. China supports the efforts made by all parties in convening the 2012 International Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction and is willing to make our own efforts in this regard.

Mr. Chairman,

It is our common goal to promote the earnest implementation of the Treaty and to build a harmonious world with lasting peace and common prosperity. China is willing to work with all states, to achieve positive outcome for this session of Preparatory Committee and the whole Review Cycle.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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