Mr. Chair,

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. At present, the international situation is turbulent, geopolitical conflicts are protracted, and destabilizing and uncertain factors have increased significantly. As an important pillar of the post-World War II international security architecture and the cornerstone of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, the authority of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is being severely challenged, and the international nuclear disarmament process is under strain.

The United States, which has one of the world’s largest and most advanced nuclear arsenals, is obsessed with pursuing absolute security superiority, and plans to invest $1.7 trillion to upgrade its “triad” nuclear forces, and evades its responsibility for nuclear disarmament. The United States adheres to the policy of first-use of nuclear weapons, formulates tailored nuclear deterrence strategies against other countries, and builds a nuclear alliance through “nuclear sharing” and “extended deterrence” arrangements, becoming the country with the largest number of nuclear weapons deployed abroad. The United States also plans to develop and deploy the “Golden Dome” missile defense system and deploy strategic offensive and defensive forces such as land-based intermediate-range missiles and global missile defense systems against other nuclear-weapon States.

The above-mentioned actions of the United States have seriously undermined the legitimate rights and interests of other nuclear-weapon States, increased the unnecessary risk of nuclear confrontation and conflict, seriously undermined global and regional strategic stability, and seriously deteriorated the international nuclear disarmament environment. These are the issues that really need to be addressed in the review process of NPT. Regrettably, some countries enjoy the “nuclear umbrella” of the United States and support the strengthening of “nuclear sharing” arrangements, attempting to put regional security architecture above nuclear non-proliferation, becoming the accomplices in undermining global nuclear disarmament process. At the same time, out of geopolitical self-interest, these countries keep hyping up the so-called “Chinese nuclear threat”, even ignoring the legitimate aspiration of non-nuclear-weapon States to be free from nuclear threats, and distorting and belittling the policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons. Such a “double standard” approach will not only fail to solve its own security dilemma, but will greatly damage its reputation in international arms control governance.

Mr. Chair,

The complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons and the realization of a nuclear-weapon-free world are the common aspirations of all countries in the world. In the face of the current severe challenges, the future and destiny of mankind are at stake in nuclear disarmament. China would like to share the following views:

First, it is necessary to establish a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable global security. Certain nuclear-weapon States should practice true multilateralism, abandon the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game, abandon the obsession with exclusive and absolute security, stop putting their own security above the security of other countries, and stop using the “nuclear alliance” to provoke bloc confrontation and create international divisions.

Second, it is necessary to adhere to the consensus that the two nuclear weapon States with the largest nuclear arsenals should take the lead in nuclear disarmament. Truly sustainable nuclear disarmament can only be achieved by adhering to the principles of “maintaining global strategic stability” and “undiminished security for all”. The two countries, which possess 90 percent of the world’s nuclear weapons, should earnestly fulfill their special and primary responsibilities for nuclear disarmament, and the top priority at the moment is to resume the implementation of the New START Treaty and conclude follow-up arrangements to further significantly and substantially reduce their nuclear arsenals, so as to create conditions for the ultimate realization of complete and thorough nuclear disarmament.

Third, on the basis of previous consensus, promote the reduction of strategic risks. At the beginning of 2022, the leaders of the five nuclear-weapon States issued the Joint Statement on the Preventing Nuclear War and the Avoiding Arms Races, reiterating the principle that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought”. The adoption of a no-first-use policy is a practical step to achieve the goal of nuclear disarmament. China once again calls on the nuclear-weapon States to support the negotiation and conclusion of a treaty on mutual no-first-use of nuclear weapons or to make a political statement thereon and to undertake not to be the first to use nuclear weapons against each other at any time and under any circumstances. China's proposal could address the concerns of the United States and the European Union about the so-called “credibility” of policies. If the desire of the United States and the EU to reduce nuclear risks is sincere, they should immediately respond positively to China's proposal. The international community should support the early negotiation by the Conference on Disarmament of a legal instrument on negative security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States.

Fourth, it is necessary to take a right approach of intermediate measures for nuclear disarmament. Some countries have promoted nuclear risk reduction and nuclear transparency as intermediate measures for nuclear disarmament, which can be discussed, but they cannot become the core of the current review cycle, still less can they weaken or even substitute the goal of nuclear disarmament. China supports discussions on nuclear risk reduction and nuclear transparency on a voluntary basis without prejudice to national security, taking into account differences in the security environment, size of nuclear forces and nuclear strategies among countries.

Fifth, it is necessary to effectively reduce the role of nuclear weapons in national and collective security doctrines. Non-nuclear-weapon States enjoying the nuclear umbrella should fulfil their nuclear disarmament obligations and reduce the role of nuclear weapons in their security policies and refrain from becoming an obstacle to nuclear disarmament. China is closely following discussion of relevant countries about the establishment of a new “nuclear sharing” arrangement or even seeking possession of nuclear weapons, and reminds them to strictly abide by their nuclear non-proliferation obligations. The international community should work together to oppose the replication of “nuclear sharing” arrangements by the countries concerned in the Asia-Pacific region or in any other region.

Mr. Chair,

China pursues a nuclear strategy of self-defence and resolutely adheres to a policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons. China has always maintained its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security, has no intention of engaging in an arms race with any country now or in the future. China supports the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, always abides by its moratorium on nuclear testing, and supports the establishment of the Treaty’s monitoring and verification mechanism. China supports the Conference on Disarmament in initiating the negotiation of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) participated by all key parties on the basis of reaching a comprehensive and balanced program of work in accordance with CD/1299 and the mandate contained therein.

In the face of the geopolitical crisis and the lack of mutual trust among major countries, China has actively fulfilled its responsibilities as the coordinator of P5 mechanism, promoted dialogue and exchanges among the five nuclear-weapon States, and held nuclear policy expert meetings to enhance understanding of each other’s nuclear policies, which will help avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation and promote strategic stability among major countries. China will continue to actively promote dialogue and cooperation among the five countries in a pragmatic manner.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.