Pursuant to the United Nations General Assembly resolution 79/240 entitled Group of Scientific and Technical Experts on Nuclear Disarmament Verification, the Government of China presents herewith the following positions and views on the issue of Group of Scientific and Technical Experts (GSTE) on nuclear disarmament verification:

1. Effective nuclear disarmament verification measures are conducive to enhancing the credibility of compliance with nuclear disarmament treaties, and could serve as important guarantee for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. Engaging in communication on the issue of nuclear disarmament verification will facilitate mutual trust among nuclear-weapon States, as well as between nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States.

2. China supports all parties in extensively exchanging views on issues related to the potential GSTE. Under the premise of clear mandate, objective and consensus-based working method, a GSTE could be established within the framework under the Conference on Disarmament (CD) to further deepen nuclear disarmament verification technical research and promote nuclear disarmament verification capacity-building in an authoritative, representative and influential manner.

3. Nuclear disarmament verification is notably complex and sensitive, involving multiple aspects such as delivery means, nuclear warheads, nuclear materials and related nuclear facilities. The work of the potential GSTE should take these factors into full consideration, adhere to the principles of balance, non-discrimination and non-proliferation, advance its work in a step-by-step approach starting from the easier tasks first, and follow the consensus-based rules to adequately reflect the legitimate concerns of all parties.

4. Nuclear disarmament verification must be coupled to specific nuclear disarmament treaties. Verification measures cannot be developed away from the specific treaties. We should not seek to establish a unified verification template that is universally applicable. The potential GSTE should avoid directly or in disguised form creating standardized nuclear disarmament verification models or predetermining templates for future nuclear disarmament treaties.

5. The establishment of any new institution must give full consideration to its interactive relationship with existing UN disarmament bodies to ensure its professional and effective operation. The CD, as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum, should dully play its role with regard to the potential GSTE, including but not limited to authorizing its establishment, guiding its work, regularly considering its reports, evaluating its operation, and reviewing its mandate renewal.

6. The discussions of the international society regarding nuclear disarmament verification cannot replace nuclear disarmament, Nuclear disarmament should be a just and reasonable process of gradual reduction toward a downward balance, following the principles of “maintaining global strategic stability” and “undiminished security for all” in a step-by-step approach. The countries with the largest nuclear arsenals bear special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament.

7. The Chinese Governmental experts have taken a constructive part in the work of the two United Nations Groups of Governmental Experts on nuclear disarmament verification, and positively facilitated their conclusion of reports. China attaches high importance to and actively conducted the scientific and technology research and capacity-building of nuclear disarmament verification, supports the exploration of application of new technologies in nuclear disarmament verification, encourages experts to participate in international academic exchanges and cooperation, and has accumulated substantive experience regarding verification concepts, theories, technical methodologies, mechanisms and procedures. China will continue to actively engage in international discussions regarding the establishment of a GSTE.

China hopes the above views will be reflected in the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.