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Statement by Ambassador LIU Jieyi at the Security Council Briefing on 1540 Committee

2017-03-16 23:49

China thanks Ambassador Llorentty Solíz, Chairman of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), for his briefing. China attaches great importance to the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). The 1540 Committee has been conducting its work recently in an orderly manner in line with its program of work. China commends Ambassador Llorentty Solíz and his team for their efforts.

Preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery has a bearing on international peace, security and stability. It constitutes the common challenge and major task facing the international community. Furthermore, it is an important part of global governance.

During his visit to international organizations in Switzerland earlier this year, the President of China, Xi Jinping, delivered a speech at the United Nations Office in Geneva, entitled "Working together to build a community of shared future for mankind". In his speech, which took a historical perspective, President Xi Jinping elaborated on the basic norms governing international relations, which include, inter alia, sovereignty, equality, peaceful reconciliation, justice, the rule of law, openness, inclusiveness and humanitarianism. It laid down the fundamental route to building a community of shared future for mankind.

Moreover, from a practical perspective and in the light of the current major global challenges, he advocated building a world of lasting peace, common security, shared prosperity, openness and inclusiveness and a world that is clean and beautiful, which pointed out the path to building a community of shared future. That abovementioned proposal has lent impetus to the transformation and improvement of the international system and global governance. It also constitutes the fundamental point of departure for China's engagement in international affairs, especially global governance in the field of non-proliferation.

In recent years, thanks to the concerted efforts of the international community, the international non-proliferation process has forged ahead in greater depth and with concrete results. Nevertheless, the non-proliferation situation remains grave. Certain non-proliferation hotspot issues continue dragging on and defying an easy solution. Technological advances have lowered proliferation thresholds. Non-State actors and terrorists, in particular, are more likely to acquire weapons of mass destruction and related materials and technologies. In that regard, the international community should make joint efforts to bolster global governance in the area of non-proliferation.

First, we need to foster a new security concept and build a conducive security environment. The issue of non-proliferation is highly complex. Its complex and arduous nature is further compounded by a range of factors, including historical disputes, regional conflicts, security concerns and terrorism. The fundamental way forward lies in discarding Cold-War mentalities, forging a security pattern of fairness, justice, broad participation and sharing, and pursuing a concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, thereby building an international and regional environment featuring common security, enhancing the sense of security for all countries, and eliminating the breeding grounds of terrorism, extremism and the driving factors of their proliferation, so as to generate an environment conducive to non-proliferation.

Secondly, we must uphold the rule of law and consolidate and develop the international non-proliferation regime. Through years of tireless efforts, the international community has put in place an international non-proliferation regime guided by the Charter of the United Nations and legally anchored in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological Weapons Convention, supplemented by the relevant non-proliferation mechanisms. Efforts should be made to safeguard the authority and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime, formulate and improve relevant international norms, and effectively prevent non-State actors, not least terrorists, from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and related materials and technologies.

Thirdly, we must remain committed to multilateralism and to dealing with regional non-proliferation hotspot issues through political and diplomatic means. Any action that might cause further tensions can only lead to the escalation and spill-over of conflicts, which, in turn, would heighten the risk of proliferation. All parties should remain committed to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, to maintaining peace and stability in that region, and to the resolution of issues through dialogue and consultation. The top priority for the parties concerned is to apply brakes and earnestly ease tensions on the peninsula. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action of the Iran nuclear issue did not come about easily. All parties concerned need to enhance political mutual trust, completely fulfill their commitments and push for steady and lasting progress in the implementation of the JCPOA, so as to achieve a far-reaching impact.

Fourthly, we must take a multi-pronged approach to enhancing the comprehensive and effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Last year, the 1540 Committee took stock of the implementation of that resolution and all aspects of the Committee's work over the previous five years and came up with a comprehensive review report. The Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2325 (2016). The Committee should strictly adhere to the mandate derived from the relevant resolutions and its program of work, maintain the leading role of Member States in non-proliferation and refrain from setting up new mechanisms. Priority should be given to meeting the needs of developing countries for assistance and intensifying the capacity-building efforts on Member States' resolution implementation.

Working with the international community China will continue to contribute to improving the international non-proliferation regime, strengthening global governance in the area of non-proliferation and safeguarding world peace and security.

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