4th May 2026, Trusteeship Council Chamber

Mr. Chair,

Preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons is a core objective of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Against the backdrop of a continuously deteriorating global strategic security environment, a small number of countries, by applying double standards on nuclear non-proliferation, are seriously eroding the confidence of non-nuclear-weapon States Parties in the authority of the NPT and the IAEA safeguards regime. This Review Conference should take seriously these adverse developments in the field of nuclear non-proliferation that violate the principles and objectives of the Treaty, clarifying the root causes of these problems and jointly exploring counter measures.

First, the role of nuclear weapons in national security policies must be reduced. Certain nuclear-weapon States and their allies continue to strengthen “nuclear sharing”, “extended deterrence” arrangements or “forward deterrence” cooperation. This trend of so-called friendly nuclear proliferation under the guise of cooperation is deeply concerning. China calls on the relevant nuclear weapon States to withdraw all nuclear weapons deployed overseas back to their own territories, and urges countries participating in “nuclear sharing” and “extended deterrence” arrangements to cease upgrading or even replicating such arrangements in other regions. The proliferation of nuclear weapons through “nuclear sharing” must be prevented. Meanwhile, efforts by relevant regions to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones or zones free of weapons of mass destruction, on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the states of the region, should be respected and supported.

Second, we oppose placing geopolitical self-interest above the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. The nuclear submarine cooperation among the US, UK and Australia (AUKUS) involves unprecedented transfer of nuclear submarine reactors and large amount of weapons-grade highly enriched uranium from nuclear weapon States to non-nuclear-weapon States. This clearly contravenes the object and purpose of the Treaty and undermines the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. Relevant safeguards arrangements should be addressed through an intergovernmental process with the participation of all IAEA Member States, and decisions should be taken by consensus.

Third, nuclear non-proliferation issues should be resolved through political and diplomatic means. Military strikes against nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards without authorization of the United Nations Security Council constitute a serious violation of international law and significantly increase proliferation risks. States Parties should abandon Cold War mentality, respect each other’s legitimate security concerns, and fully safeguard the inalienable right of all countries to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Concerns over nuclear proliferation should be addressed through political and diplomatic means, and acts of bullying and the abuse of force must be opposed and rectified so as to eliminate the root causes of proliferation.

Fourth, open advocacy by senior officials of certain country for the acquisition of nuclear weapons severely undermines the authority and credibility of the Treaty. In recent years, Japan has taken a series of actions and made statements that raise serious concerns regarding its nuclear policy, including seeking to revise its pacifist constitution and the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, and attempting to host its allies’ nuclear weapons on its territory. The international community should remain highly vigilant, strengthen oversight and verification, take seriously the imbalance between Japan’s production and consumption of sensitive nuclear materials, and resolutely prevent attempts by certain countries to acquire nuclear weapons.

Fifth, a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory international nuclear non-proliferation order must be built. China values the important role of IAEA safeguards in preventing proliferation and promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We support the Agency’s efforts to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the safeguards system and to promote the universality of comprehensive safeguards agreements. China also supports the full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1540 at the national, regional and international level, so as to prevent non-State actors from acquiring sensitive materials.

Mr. Chair,

China firmly opposes the proliferation of nuclear weapons and advocates the comprehensive, faithful and balanced implementation of all obligations under the Treaty. Taking this Review Conference as an opportunity, China stands ready to work with the international community to make joint efforts to maintain and strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation regime underpinned by the NPT.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.