On June 23, 2016, the annual plenary session of the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) was held in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (ROK). In an interview, Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Choi Jong-moon of the ROK spoke positively of China's constructive role in promoting a successful convening of the NSG plenary session, and highly praised the crucial part that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has served in the NSG non-proliferation mechanism. Director-General of the Department of Arms Control of the Foreign Ministry Wang Qun gave an interview on relevant issues.

1. It is reported that China is the only country that objects to India's NSG membership at the plenary session. What's your opinion?

The specific issue about the entry of non-NPT countries has never been on the NSG agenda, nor the agenda of this annual plenary session. Therefore there is no "pro or against" in this regard. However, China attaches great importance to how to resolve the issue of the entry of non-NPT countries. At the previous stage, the Chinese side has promoted three unofficial discussions in the group on various aspects related to the entry of non-NPT countries through "Friends of Chair". Though all sides hold different opinions about this issue, China maintains that relevant discussions are beneficial and have enhanced mutual understanding. China hopes to further discuss this issue and will participate in relevant discussion in a constructive manner.

2. What are the standards for accepting new members into the NSG?

NSG has explicit rules in terms of the acceptance of new members. There are five standards concerning not only technology but also political and legal issues. The most important one is the NPT, which means the applicant must be a NPT signatory. This is a mandatory standard which is not set by China but commonly recognized by the international community.

The NPT serves as the cornerstone for the whole international non-proliferation system. If we repeatedly make exceptions on the treaty, the system will collapse. Without the NPT being the political and legal foundation, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iranian nuclear issue wouldn't have been reached, and its following implementation would be beset by difficulties and even lose direction. Without this political and legal foundation, how can we resolve international non-proliferation issues, including the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue? All these questions deserve deliberation. Sometimes it is easy to take on multiple standards, but the consequences could be disastrous.

3. What role does China play in this issue?

It is difficult to deal with the issue of the entry of non-NPT signatories. Different parties hold different opinions. China has two focuses on it. First, NSG rules must be obeyed, as these rules are not targeted at any specific country. Second, a consensus needs to be reached through innovative mindset and efforts. To this end, China has promoted unofficial discussions presided by former Chair of the NSG plenary session. In this session, China also encouraged the group to discuss the entry of the non-NPT country in innovative manners. What should be highlighted is that such method, as a major progress of the annual session, is more official. China appreciates the leading role played by the Chair of the ROK side and also contributed its own efforts.

4. India holds that joining the NSG is to cope with climate change. What are China's views on this?

China understands India's need to vigorously develop nuclear energy so as to cope with climate change. It is also a common challenge faced by all developing countries. As the only legal document of the international non-proliferation system, the NPT has three main pillars, one of which is to ensure each country's legitimate right to develop nuclear energy. The NPT is not contradictory to the goals set in legal documents in the area of climate change. Instead, they promote each other.

India has conducted cooperation in nuclear energy with many NSG member states. If the Indian side has demands, China is also willing to carry out cooperation with India in this aspect so as to help it meet the demand for nuclear energy.