Madam Chair,

This year is the 55th year since the NPT came into effect.  For more than half a century, the NPT has made irreplaceable contribution to preventing nuclear-weapon proliferation, promoting the settlement of nuclear hot-spot issues, and enhancing universal and common security. Certain nuclear-weapon States blindly adhere to the supremacy of power and the principle of national priority, place narrow geopolitical self-interests above nuclear non-proliferation obligations, which undermine the authority and effectiveness of the NPT and  impact the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Under the current circumstances, strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime with NPT as its cornerstone and diminishing the risks of nuclear-weapon proliferation is of great significance to improving global nuclear governance and promoting global peace and security. All parties should seize the opportunity of the third session of preparatory committee of this review cycle to explore solutions to the challenges of nuclear proliferation, form broad consensus and take practical actions. To this end, China would like to put forward the following suggestions.

First, it is imperative to be staunch defenders of the cause of nuclear non-proliferation. States parties to the NPT should implement their commitments of nuclear non-proliferation. States that are not party to the NPT should join the Treaty as non-nuclear-weapon States as soon as possible, and place all of their nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The international community should support efforts to establish a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. Regional States, nuclear-weapon States especially the depositories of the NPT should take an active part in the international Conference on Establishing a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction that started from 2019. Nuclear-weapon States should respect the legal status of nuclear-weapon-free zones, sign and ratify as soon as possible all additional protocols related to treaties on nuclear-weapon-free zones open for signatures. China is willing to take the lead in signing the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. The international community should improve the universality of the IAEA comprehensive safeguards agreements and additional protocols, and support the IAEA in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of IAEA safeguards system following the principle of fairness, objectivity and transparency. At the same time, we should firmly oppose the attempt of certain countries to stretch the national security concept, take export control as tools for geopolitical game, and undermine the right of non-nuclear-weapon States for peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Second, firmly oppose the destroyers of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. Certain country practices double standards on nuclear proliferation, exerts maximum pressure on so-called geopolitical adversaries, strengthens nuclear sharing and extended deterrence arrangements, allows its non-nuclear-weapon States allies to discuss the possibility of acquiring nuclear weapons, seriously undermining the international non-proliferation regime. Regional security architecture cannot be built on nuclear proliferation. Relevant countries should take concrete measures to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in their national and collective security doctrines, and should not replicate new nuclear sharing or extended deterrence arrangements in any way in other regions.

The AUKUS nuclear submarines cooperation involves for the first time the transfer of naval nuclear propulsion reactors and tons of weapon-grade highly enriched uranium from nuclear-weapon States to a non-nuclear-weapon State. This cooperation stokes bloc confrontation, stimulates arms races, undermines regional security, creates serious proliferation risks, and is in contravention of the object and purpose of the NPT, which is firmly opposed by many countries including China. Since 2023, the Permanent Mission of China in Vienna convened three workshops to thoroughly discuss the legal, technical and procedural aspects of AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation. The NPT review process and the IAEA should continue in-depth discussions about the safeguards issues and its challenges involved in the AUKUS nuclear submarines cooperation through a transparent, open, inclusive and sustainable intergovernmental process and make decisions by consensus.

Third, commit to being a builder in nuclear non-proliferation governance. The current international landscape is fraught with intertwined turbulence, with geopolitical conflicts flaring up in one region after another.Relevant parties should commit to the political settlement of the hot-spot issues including Korean Peninsula and Iranian nuclear issues, instead of using them as bargaining chips for geopolitical confrontation or tools for political showmanship.

The situation of Korean Peninsula is highly complex and sensitive. The China's position is consistent and clear, and we hope that the Peninsula will realize peace, stability and prosperity, and we are committed to promoting the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue and will never allow turbulence or war on the the Peninsula. Notably, some countries have changed their existing position, single-sidedly emphasized “DPRK denuclearization”, strengthened “extended deterrence” arrangements, even heatedly discussed the topics like “nuclear sharing” and “possession of nuclear weapons". It is hoped that relevant countries can faithfully fulfill international obligations and commitments, play a constructive role in achieving a peaceful and stable Peninsula.

The Iranian nuclear issue has come to a crucial crossroads again. In March this year, China held the Beijing Meeting between China, Russia and Iran on the Iranian nuclear issue and proposed five points on the proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, which is a positive step towards reviving dialogues and negotiations. China believes that, peaceful settlement is the only right option while the use of force and illegal sanctions only lead to a dead end. China supports taking the framework of the JCPOA as the basis for reaching a solution that accommodates the legitimate concerns of all parties through dialogue and negotiations, so as to maintain international nuclear non-proliferation regime and enhance peace and stability in the middle east. All parties should create conditions for dialogue and negotiations, and refrain from actions that may escalate the situation.

Madam Chair,

China upholds the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, upholds  true multilateralism, implements its international obligations commitments, and upholds firmly international nuclear non-proliferation regime. China has submitted its working  Give Full Play to the Role of the NPT in Promoting Peace and Development in the New Era, and hopes that its elements could be reflected in the final documents. No matter how the international situation changes, China will always be a stabilizing force in a turbulent world. Together with all parties, China will uphold and strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation regime with NPT as the cornerstone and make new contributions to promoting world peace, security and development.

Thank you, Chair.