Mr. Chair,

Since the establishment of the first nuclear-weapon-free zone in Latin-America and the Caribbean, under unremitting efforts of non-nuclear-weapon states for more than half a century, the nuclear-weapon-free zones have covered more than 100 countries throughout the Southern Hemisphere and parts of the Northern Hemisphere. The establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones is an important complement and enhancement to NPT, playing an important role in preventing nuclear proliferation, advancing the nuclear disarmament process, enhancing mutual trust among regional countries, and promoting peace and security in the world and the region.

Regrettably, up to now only the 2nd Protocol to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean has been ratified by all five nuclear-weapon states. The significant contributions of non-nuclear-weapon States to non-proliferation have not received due respect. China believes that the international community should make efforts in the following aspects:

First, the international community should support for relevant countries in establishing nuclear-weapon-free zones according to Article 7 of the NPT and the guidelines adopted by the UN Disarmament Commission in 1999.

Second, nuclear-weapon States should take practical measures to support the efforts of establishing nuclear-weapon-free zones. Relevant countries should ratify all protocols to the treaties on nuclear-weapon-free zones open for signatures as soon as possible, respect the legal status of nuclear-weapon-free zones, and take measures to implement relevant security assurances, especially considering the withdrawal of reservation and restrictions regarding the provision of NSA.

Third, to conclude an international legal instrument as soon as possible on not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States or nuclear-weapon-free zones.Pending the conclusion of the international legal instrument, all nuclear-weapon States should make public statements to undertake unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States nuclear-weapon-free zones at any time and under any circumstances.

Fourth, The AUKUS nuclear submarines cooperation States involves for the first time the transfer of naval nuclear propulsion reactors and tons of weapon-grade HEU from nuclear-weapon States to a non-nuclear-weapon State, which constitutes serious proliferation risks, and is in contravention of the object and purpose of the NPT, undermines the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty and damages the efforts to build the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-free Zone. The international community should resolutely oppose it.

China pursues the policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons, unconditionally commits itself not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States or nuclear-weapon-free zones, firmly supports the international efforts to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones. Up to now, China has signed and ratified all the protocols to treaties on nuclear-weapon-free zones open for signature, and is willing to sign the protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone firstly and respects and welcomes nuclear-weapon-free status of Mongolia. China released the Global Security Initiative Concept Paper, which explicitly supports the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones by relevant countries in the region.

Mr. Chair,

Over the recent years, the security situation of the Middle East has deteriorated seriously, the aspiration of Middle East people to be free from nuclear weapons is urgent. While promoting reconciliation and cooperation among countries in the Middle East and advancing the peace process of the Middle East, the international community should fully accommodate legitimate security concerns of the countries in Middle East,actively implement the resolution on the Middle East of the1995 NPT review and extension conference, and continue to make efforts for the early establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. Regional states, nuclear-weapon States especially one of the depositories of the NPT should actively implement the relevant UNGA resolutions, attend the international Conference on Establishing a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction. Israel should join the NPT as a non-nuclear-weapon State as soon as possible and place all its nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the IAEA.

China has always firmly supported international efforts to establish a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction, and has participated in five consecutive sessions of the international conference as an observer. China reiterates its support for all efforts aimed at establishing a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Beijing Declaration adopted at the 10h Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in May 2024. China will continue to work with the international community to strive for the early realization of this goal and promote security and peace in the Middle East.

Thank you, Mr Chair.