29th April 2026, G.A.Hall United Nations

Mr. President,

The Chinese delegation congratulates you on your assumption of the President of the Eleventh Review Conference.

At present, the world is confronted with growing uncertainties and destabilizing factors. The global security landscape is complex and grave. One certain major power, obsessed with supremacy and “country-first” policies, adheres to hegemonic and bullying logic of “submission brings survival, defiance leads to destruction”, imposes unilateral sanctions and blockades, and incites conflicts and wars across the globe. This power flagrantly violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, posing serious threats to the security and even the survival rights of small and medium-sized states. Such actions gravely undermine the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

Hegemonism, power politics and unilateralism constitute the real threats and challenges facing the NPT. One certain country pursues absolute strategic superiority, arbitrarily withdraws from or undermine multilateral and bilateral arms control agreements, and places its own interests above the global consensus on arms control and the common security of all countries. This country strengthens “nuclear alliances” deploys strategic offensive forces such as nuclear weapons and intermediate-range missiles in close proximity to other nuclear-weapon States, and builds global missile defense systems, including the so-called “Golden Dome.” These actions heighten the risks of arms races, severely undermine global strategic balance and stability, and lead to increasing politicization, bloc confrontation and fragmentation of the multilateral arms control process.

The international community should firmly uphold true multilateralism, follow the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, observe the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and prevent the world from reverting to the law of the jungle.

Mr. Chair,

The NPT is the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, and a key pillar of the post-World War II international security architecture. China participates constructively in the review process in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation, and looks forward to a conference that upholds the authority, effectiveness and universality of the Treaty.

To this end, China wishes to emphasize the following:

First, preventing nuclear war and maintaining global strategic stability is the top priority. All countries should oppose the use or threat of use of force in international relations and strengthen the shared commitment to preventing nuclear war. The five nuclear-weapon States should continue to implement the Joint statement of the leaders of the five Nuclear-Weapon States on preventing nuclear war and avoiding arms races, reaffirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought, refrain from targeting nuclear weapons at any country, and avoid formulating nuclear deterrence policies against others. China calls on nuclear-weapon States to show political courage by supporting the early negotiation and conclusion of a treaty on No-First-Use of Nuclear Weapons, or the issuance of a political statement to that effect. While reducing strategic risks among Nuclear-Weapon States, equal importance should be attached to addressing nuclear threats faced by non-nuclear-weapon States. China calls for the early negotiation of an international legally binding instrument on negative security assurances, so that non-nuclear-weapon States and nuclear-weapon-free zones could be freed from nuclear threats.

Second, the international consensus on nuclear disarmament must be upheld in a fair, just and orderly manner. All nuclear-weapon States should commit not to retain nuclear weapons indefinitely. Given the significant differences in their nuclear arsenals, policies and security environments among them, nuclear disarmament should proceed in a step-by-step manner, guided by the principles of maintaining global strategic stability and ensuring undiminished security for all. Countries with the largest nuclear arsenals should take the lead in nuclear disarmament, as reflected in UN General Assembly resolutions and previous review conference outcome documents. Attempts to deny this consensus represent a setback to the rule of law in international affairs. One certain country exaggerates so-called nuclear threats from others as a pretext for investing trillions of dollars in nuclear modernization. The so-called “multilateral nuclear arms control and strategic stability dialogue” proposed by certain country is in essence an attempt to shift its special and primary responsibilities as the country with the largest nuclear arsenal onto others. Attempts to shift the responsibility for nuclear disarmament to other countries will lead nowhere. China has no interest in them.

China calls on relevant country to seriously consider Russia’s proposal and responsibly address follow-up arrangements after the expiration of the New START Treaty. China supports the purposes and objectives of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and honors its commitment on moratorium on nuclear testing, and urges those concerned to recognize the grave consequences of resuming nuclear testing against the trend of history. Countries under the “nuclear umbrella” should play a constructive role in advancing nuclear disarmament rather than creating obstacles.

Third, disputes over nuclear non-proliferation hotspots should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and negotiation. Military strikes against nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards without authorization of the UN Security Council constitute a serious violation of international law. Such actions, under the pretext of non-proliferation, trample on other state’s sovereignty, attempt regime change, pursue geopolitical interests, and increase risks of nuclear proliferation. All States Parties should urge an immediate halt to such practices that contravene the object and purpose of the Treaty. Countries should remain highly vigilant against the proliferation risks posed by AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation and jointly oppose double standards and actions contributing to undermining global strategic stability.

Under the current circumstances, the importance and urgency of promoting the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons have become more prominent. China calls on all parties to fully and effectively implement relevant resolutions and decisions. Israel should accede to the Treaty as a non-nuclear-weapon State at an early date and place all its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards.

Fourth, the international community should remain highly vigilant against attempts by certain country to acquire nuclear weapons. Senior officials of one certain country have openly advocated nuclear armament, severely undermining the authority and credibility of the Treaty. Japan, as a defeated country in World War II, refuses to fully acknowledge its status, seeks to revise its pacifist constitution and the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, expands its long-range strike capabilities, and attempts to introduce nuclear weapons onto its territory. The international community should strengthen oversight and verification against Japan, pay close attention to the severe imbalance between Japan’s production and consumption of sensitive nuclear materials, and resolutely prevent Japan from acquiring nuclear weapons.

China holds that no regional security architecture should be built on nuclear proliferation. China calls for the elimination of NATO’s “nuclear sharing” and “extended deterrence” arrangements. The international community should oppose any new “nuclear sharing” arrangements. China opposes the deployment of nuclear weapons by Nuclear-Weapon States in Non-Nuclear-Weapon States, the construction of related infrastructure, and the transfer of weapons-grade nuclear materials for military purposes.

Fifth, create an inclusive and enabling environment for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and support “ atoms for Global South”. The peaceful uses of nuclear energy is an inalienable right of non-nuclear-weapon States. We firmly oppose the politicization of such cooperation, as well as unilateral sanctions and unjustified restrictions that disrupt international cooperation. China will continue to submit to the UN General Assembly a resolution on “Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security”, with a view to achieving a balanced approach between non-proliferation and peaceful uses and safeguarding the legitimate rights of all countries. China supports enhanced assistance to developing countries, particularly those in the Global South, in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Mr. Chair,

China’s nuclear policy maintains a high degree of stability, continuity and predictability. China’s self-defensive nuclear strategy will not change; its policy of no first use of nuclear weapons will not change; its opposition to participant arms races will not change; its efforts to reducing strategic risks will not change; and its practice of maintaining nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security will not change. China’s nuclear forces serve to deter nuclear war, promote development and prosperity, and safeguard global and regional peace.

China actively promotes the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and advances the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative. Recently, China released a white paper on arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, invited representatives of non-nuclear-weapon States to visit a decommissioned nuclear facility, and pre-notified relevant countries of ballistic missile test launches. On the basis of safeguarding national security and core interests, China will constructively participate in the deliberations of the Review Conference and the consultations on the outcome document, continue to play a constructive role in advancing nuclear disarmament, preventing nuclear proliferation, and promoting international cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. China opposes any distortion or smearing of its nuclear policy and will not allow any country to undermine its sovereignty, security and development interests.

Thank you, Mr. President.