On the morning of September 24, 2009, the UN Security Council Summit on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament was held at the UN Headquarters in New York. President Hu Jintao attended the summit and delivered an important speech. He stressed that China consistently advocates an overall prohibition and complete destruction of nuclear weapons, firmly adheres to the policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstance and has made the clear commitment of unconditionally not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones. China does not participate in any form of nuclear arms race. It will continue to keep nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for its national security and make efforts to advance the international nuclear disarmament process. We will continue to play a constructive role in maintaining the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Participants at the Summit mainly discussed nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament issues, including arms control and nuclear disarmament, international nuclear non-proliferation regime, prevention of the illicit trafficking in nuclear materials, security of nuclear materials and international peace and security.

Making an important speech entitled Work Together to Build a World with Universal Security, Hu pointed out that the current international security environment is complicated and fluctuating and nuclear proliferation remains a serious issue and nuclear disarmament a long and arduous task. A world with universal security should first and foremost be free from the threat of nuclear war. He put forward five proposals to that end.

First, maintain global strategic balance and stability and actively advance nuclear disarmament. All the nuclear-weapon states should faithfully fulfill the obligations under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and publicly pledge not to seek permanent possession of nuclear weapons. Countries with the largest nuclear arsenals should continue to take the lead in reducing nuclear weapons drastically and substantively. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty should be brought into force at an early date and negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty should start as soon as possible. Other nuclear-weapon states should also join the multilateral negotiations on nuclear disarmament when conditions are ripe. To achieve the ultimate goal of complete and thorough 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.

Second, abandon the nuclear deterrence policy based on first use of nuclear weapons and take tangible steps to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons. All nuclear-weapon states should make clear commitment of unconditionally not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones, and conclude a legally-binding international instrument in this regard. At the same time, nuclear-weapon states should enter into a treaty on no-first-use of nuclear weapons against one another through negotiations.

Third, consolidate the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons. All countries in the world should join the NPT and take credible steps to maintain and strengthen the authority and effectiveness of the NPT. The safeguard function of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should be reinforced. All countries should fulfill the non-proliferation obligation strictly, refrain from double standards and intensify and improve the export control for non-proliferation purpose.

Fourth, respect fully the right of countries to peacefully using nuclear energy and promote vigorously international cooperation. Developed countries should actively help developing ones in developing and using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The IAEA should increase input to promote technical cooperation and assistance in nuclear power, nuclear security and nuclear technology application.

Fifth, tighten nuclear security and reduce nuclear risk substantively. Countries should rigorously abide by the international legal instruments on nuclear security and take tangible measures to ensure security of their nuclear facilities and materials and effectively prevent the diversion of nuclear materials. The international community should strengthen cooperation on fighting against nuclear terrorism.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and leaders of other Security Council member states also addressed the Summit.

The Summit unanimously adopted a resolution on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

Dai Bingguo was also present at the Summit.