On May 18, Chinese disarmament ambassador HU Xiaodi introduced another 3 working papers submitted by China to the ongoing 2005 NPT Review Conference. These 3 papers are on the subjects of nuclear-weapon-free zone, security assurances and nuclear issues in the Middle East respectively.

2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

2-27 May 2005, New York

Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone

Working Paper submitted by China

The Chinese Delegation hereby requests that the following elements be incorporated in the report of Main Committee Ⅱand the Final Document of the Review Conference.

1. Nuclear-weapon-free zones are of great significance in promoting nuclear disarmament, preventing proliferation of nuclear weapons and enhancing regional and global peace and stability.

2. All nuclear-weapon states should undertake unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones, and conclude international legal instrument thereupon.

3. The guideline on establishing nuclear-weapon-free zone adopted by the United Nations Disarmament Commission in 1999 should be honestly observed.

4. The steps taken by the non-nuclear-weapon states concerned since 2000 to establish new nuclear-weapon-free zones are welcome and should be supported. Non-nuclear-weapon states should be encouraged to continue to make efforts and advance proposals on establishing new nuclear-weapon-free zones.

5. The international community should support efforts made by states of the regions concerned to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones in accordance with the regional situation and on a voluntary basis.

6. The nuclear-weapon states should respect the legal status of nuclear-weapon-free zones, and undertake corresponding obligations in a legally binding manner.

7. The establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones and the signature and ratification of the protocols to nuclear-weapon-free-zone treaties by the nuclear-weapon states have played important roles in extending security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon states in the zones concerned. The nuclear-weapon states should take effective measures to carry out their security assurances stipulated in all nuclear-weapon-free-zone treaties and relevant protocols.

2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

2-27 May 2005, New York

Security Assurances

Working Paper submitted by China

The Chinese Delegation hereby requests that the following elements be incorporated in the report of Main CommitteeⅠand the Final Document of the Review Conference.

1. In order to free the world from the threat of nuclear weapons and the risk of nuclear war, all nuclear weapons should be subjected to complete prohibition and thorough destruction. Before this objective is achieved, all nuclear-weapon states should undertake not to be the first to use nuclear weapons and not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones at any time and under any circumstances.

2. Legally binding security assurance by nuclear-weapon states to the non-nuclear-weapon states is conducive to strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. International legally binding instruments on these issues should be concluded as early as possible.

3. Nuclear-weapon states should lower the role of nuclear weapons in their national security strategies and not list any countries as targets of nuclear strike.

4. Nuclear-weapon states should support non-nuclear-weapon states' efforts to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones and undertake corresponding obligations.

5. The Conference on Disarmament should re-establish an ad hoc committee on negative security assurances and start substantive work and negotiations without delay.

2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

2-27 May 2005, New York

Nuclear Issues in the Middle East

Working Paper submitted by China

The Chinese Delegation hereby requests that the following elements be incorporated in the report of Main Committee II and the Final Document of the Review Conference.

1. Regional security and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear weapons, are closely interrelated. Therefore, all the parties concerned should make further efforts to promote the peace process in the Middle East in a spirit of reconciliation, in order to enhance substantively the peace and stability in the region. Supports should be given to the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, in playing a more active role in Middle East peace process. The parties concerned should seize the favorable opportunities to pursue a final proper solution to the Middle East questions on the basis of relevant resolutions of the United Nations (UN) and the principle of "land for peace".

2. The proposals of and efforts by Middle East countries to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons and other WMDs in the Middle East should be supported. Concrete efforts should be made to promote the establishment of such a zone in accordance with the UN General Assembly resolutions, the Resolution on the Middle East adopted at the 1995 NPT Review Conference, and relevant provisions of the Final Document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference.

3. The Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved reasonably through dialogue within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran should be encouraged to continue its comprehensive cooperation with the IAEA in order to solve all the outstanding issues properly. Supports should be given to Iran and the three European Union countries, supported by the High Representative, in their negotiations on a long-term solution. The resolves of Iran and EU to handle this issue through negotiations are appreciated. We hope that the negotiations will have concrete results at an early date.

4. Libya's abandonment of its WMD programmes and acceptance of IAEA inspections is a remarkable achievement of international efforts in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons through peaceful means. Libya's decision is of great significance to consolidating and strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

5. Israel should access to the NPT as a non-nuclear-weapon state and place all its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards without delay. The states concerned in this region should sign and ratify Comprehensive Safeguard Agreement with IAEA and the additional protocol. All these measures are essential for strengthening the international non-proliferation regime and establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons or other WMDs in the Middle East.