Madam Chair,

Currently, against the background of lack of strategic trust among major powers, increasing geopolitical tensions and escalation of regional conflicts, the international community is deeply concerned about the risks of nuclear arms race and nuclear conflict. We must make joint efforts to reduce nuclear risks, promote nuclear disarmament, and prevent nuclear proliferation for the sake of safeguarding world peace and security.

Firstly, it is a priority to promote de-escalation of relevant regional tensions and to achieve ceasefires as soon as possible. The continuation of the Ukraine crisis and exacerbation of conflicts in the Middle East have given rise to high nuclear risks. All parties should work together to promote dialogue and negotiation to resolve the crisis and conflicts, thereby eliminating the immediate driving factors of nuclear risks.

Secondly, take concrete measures to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in national security policy. China advocates that nuclear-weapon States should negotiate and conclude a treaty on “mutual no-first-use of nuclear weapons” or issue a political statement in this regard at an early date, and promote the early conclusion of a legally-binding instrument on negative security assurance to non-nuclear-weapon States. China’s nuclear policy and nuclear strategy have remained unchanged for 60 years, with a record of high consistency, predictability and credibility. We are ready to work with other parties to collectively consolidate the relevant commitments in a legally or politically binding manner.

Thirdly, refrain from playing with fire by forward deployment of strategic forces. Crisis prevention precedes crisis control. Development and deployment of global anti-missile systems and forward deployment of land-based intermediate-range missiles in proximity of other nuclear weapon states, will lead to misunderstanding and miscalculation. Such practices should be abandoned. Non-nuclear-weapon States that enjoy the “nuclear umbrella” should abandon “extended deterrence” and “nuclear sharing” arrangements, decrease their reliance on nuclear weapons and make concrete efforts to reduce nuclear risks.

Fourthly, adhere to a pragmatic approach to nuclear disarmament. Countries possessing the largest nuclear arsenals should assume special and primary responsibility on nuclear disarmament and continue to make drastic and substantive reductions in their nuclear arsenals. “Maintaining global strategic stability” and “undiminished security for all” remain to be necessary guiding principles to promote nuclear disarmament. Nuclear arms control initiatives, if detached from reality of international security environment, will not facilitate a smooth path towards their presumed goals.

China always advocates complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. It undertakes not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances, and unconditionally commits itself not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapons States or nuclear-weapon-free zones. China is dedicated to safeguarding international nuclear arms control legal regime with the NPT as its cornerstone, and supports to promote three pillars in a comprehensive manner. It supports international efforts to promote early entry into force of the CTBT. And China supports the Conference on Disarmament to adopt a comprehensive and balanced programme of work and start negotiations on FMCT in accordance with the Shannon Mandate.

As the current coordinator of P5 process, China chaired an expert-level P5 meeting in New York on 10th October, and launched substantive work during its tenure. China will continue to make efforts to strengthen the dialogue and cooperation among P5.

Fifthly, approach the issue of transparency in an objective and rational manner. The nuclear-weapon States vary significantly in terms of their nuclear arsenals, nuclear policies and security environment. The focus and limit of such transparency naturally vary among different nuclear-weapon States. China has always kept its nuclear force at the minimum level required for national security. China’s nuclear arsenal is limited in scope and it has no intention of pursuing nuclear arms race. China adheres to a no-first-use policy. Any country that does not use nuclear weapons against China will not be threatened by China’s nuclear weapons. The number of nuclear weapons publicized by certain nuclear-weapon State is in essence a deterrence, which will not bring about a sense of security to other States.

Sixthly, promote international nuclear non-proliferation efforts. Certain nuclear-weapon States should abandon the transfer of large quantities of weapon-grade uranium used for nuclear submarines to a non-nuclear-weapon State. Regarding Iranian nuclear issue, the Security Council Resolution 2231 will be expired in October 2025. Therefore, the parties concerned should intensify political and diplomatic efforts to avert possible crisis. Military deterrence and sanctions will not resolve the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. The dual track approach and the principle of seeking phased and synchronized progress is still a viable solution. China firmly supports the establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, and is ready to take the lead in signing the Protocol to the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone.

To conclude, I would like to emphasize that, the current challenges and risks in the nuclear field need to be tackled at their roots. Obsessed with the Cold War mentality, hyping up major power competition and instigating bloc confrontation will only lead the international nuclear arms control process into a dead end. Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Security Initiative, offering a Chinese solution to international security dilemma and peace deficit facing the humanity. China advocates that the international community should uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, adhere to true multilateralism, respect each others’ legitimate security concerns, and work together to promote the international nuclear arms control and disarmament.

Thank you Madam Chair.