Mr. Chairman,

The peace process and the realization of peace and stability in the Middle East serve the interests of the people in the region and bear on international peace and stability. Establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other WMDs in the Middle East will contribute to strengthening the international non-proliferation regime, creating a political climate of trust and reconciliation and promoting the peace process.

China calls upon the parties concerned to seek a solution to the Middle East through peaceful negotiation in a spirit of reconciliation. Violence for violence will only increase hatred against each other. China stands against any terrorist activities and extremist violence against civilians. The parties concerned should implement the agreements and common understandings reached on the basis of the UN resolutions and the principle of land for peace.

China supports any international effort that helps ease tension in the region and believes that the UN, the Security Council in particular, should play an active role in the Middle East peace process.

China supports the efforts made by Middle East countries to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of WMD through voluntary consultations and agreement. China supports the UN resolutions on the Middle East Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and the provisions of the resolution on the Middle East issue adopted by the 1995 NPT Review Conference. In China's view, the aforementioned resolutions and decisions should be abided by and implemented.

China appreciates and supports the positive steps taken by Middle East countries that are conducive to the realization of a zone free of nuclear weapons in the Middle East. The decision by Libya to abandon its WMD programs including the nuclear weapon program and accept inspections conduces to maintaining the international non-proliferation regime and underpinning regional peace and stability. Iran fully cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to clarify relevant issues will facilitate an appropriate solution of the issue within the IAEA framework and strengthen the Agency's authority and the international non-proliferation regime.

China believes that an early accession by Israel to the NPT and placement of all its nuclear facilities under the IAEA's full-scope safeguards are very important for promoting universality of the NPT in the Middle East and strengthening the international non-proliferation regime.

Mr. Chairman,

In accordance with the Final Document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference, the Chinese Delegation has submitted a report on the measures taken by China to promote the Middle East peace process and facilitate to a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region. China stands ready to work together with other countries to realize peace and establish a zone free of nuclear weapons and other WMDs in the Middle East.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.