Thank you Mr. President.

I am aware that we have yet another meeting to follow up. But Since the U.S. and UK delegates have again taken the floor, I think I am obliged to make a concise response to their remarks.

The U.S. and the UK delegates challenged or questioned China’s position on the Peninsula issue, and questioned China’s reaction towards the missiles launches. I wish to stress that China’s position has been clear and consistent. We are for the peace and stability on the Peninsula, we are for the denuclearization of the Peninsula, and we are for solving problems through diplomatic means and negotiations. That position has not been changed. China’s position is based on the analysis of the Peninsula situation. As I said in my previous statement, since the beginning of this year, the U.S. and other countries have been carrying out unprecedented military exercises on the Peninsula. Such a posture of exerting pressures has added to the sense of insecurity of the DPRK and increased tensions.

The U.S. and UK delegates have raised a number of issues. To save time, I shall focus my response on two of those issues.

First, on the joint military exercises. I believe that we are all aware that since the beginning of this year, for a short period of time, the DPRK side has generally exercised restraint and not taken excessive actions. However, the U.S. and others are frequently conducting military activities against the DPRK on and around the Peninsula, raising the level and scale of joint exercises. As we speak, Mr. President, as we speak right now, the U.S. and others are conducting the longest and largest military exercises in recent years. The U.S. delegate said that these exercises are regular, routine, defensive in nature. However, let’s take a look at these exercises. They include striking deep down targets, decapitation operations, and occupying Pyongyang. Just the sheer names of those operations can say anything but defensive. These acts of coercion will only exacerbate the tensions on the Peninsula. The DPRK recently through its official media expressed its concerns that the situation on the Peninsula continues to deteriorate and has even reached brink of conflict, and called on relevant countries to put international peace and stability first and stop military confrontations. We hope that the U.S. will effectively pay attention to and respond to the reasonable concerns of the DPRK and make room for diplomatic efforts.

Second, on the AUKUS nuclear submarine corporation. As far as the dangers of nuclear proliferation are concerned, AUKUS nuclear submarine corporation is undoubtedly the elephant in the room. Their so-called “adherence to the highest nuclear non-proliferation standards” is nothing but a pure deception. What is it in nature? In essence, this cooperation among the three parties is the first in history transfer of weapons-grade highly enriched uranium from nuclear weapon states to a non-nuclear-weapon state, which will allow Australia to easily cross the nuclear threshold. This poses a serious proliferation risk and goes contrary to the objective and purpose of the NPT.

The U.S. has been for many years practicing double standards on non-proliferation. It constantly hypes up the DPRK and Iranian nuclear issues and other non-proliferation hotspot issues, investing a lot of resources, exerting tremendous pressure and trying every way possible to prevent the DPRK and Iran from obtaining highly enriched uranium, including through JCPOA to prohibit the Iran from producing enriched uranium with more than 3.67% abundance. Twenty years ago, the U.S. also brazenly used force against the Saddam regime of Iraq under the pretext of non-proliferation. However, the U.S. now has abandoned its non-prohibition standards, and decides to transfer tons of weapons-grade HEU with abundance rate of more than 90 % to Australia. This has exposed its hypocrisy in ignoring its own responsibilities and obligations and disregarding the concerns of the international community.

Mr. President,

I can continue my statement and respond to other issues raised by the U.S. and UK delegates. However, due to time constraint, I shall conclude myslelf. I again urge the U.S. and UK delegates and other colleagues to treat seriously the joint draft resolution from China and Russia. It is intended to release some goodwill and positive signals so as to create favorable conditions for the improvement of the situation. If some countries are really concerned about detente on the Peninsula, they should treat such resolution with the seriousness that it deserves.

Thank you Mr. President.