China would like to thank Ambassador Llorentty Solíz, in his capacity as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), for his briefing.

In 2016, the 1540 Committee conducted a comprehensive review of the Member States’ implementation of Resolution 1540 (2004) and every aspect of the Committee’s work over the previous five years. We unanimously adopted Resolution 2325 (2016), which established a sound foundation for the Committee’s future work. Recently, the 1540 Committee has done a great deal to encourage Member States to report on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), conducting outreach and regional training and stepping up technical assistance, with positive results. China commends the efforts of the Chair of the Committee and his team.

As the first Council resolution dedicated to the issue of non-proliferation, resolution 1540 (2004) is an important part of the international non-proliferation regime. Over the years, the resolution and the Committee’s work have played an important role in strengthening the international non-proliferation regime and enhancing the capacity of all States to prevent proliferation. The international non-proliferation situation continues to be challenging and demands that we all continue to improve cooperation and make joint efforts.

First, we must build a political consensus and achieve common security. All countries should subscribe to the new concept of common, comprehensive, collaborative and sustainable security, build a security pattern featuring fairness, justice, joint participation and shared benefits, create a peaceful and stable international environment and eradicate the breeding grounds for terrorism and proliferation activities as soon as possible.

Secondly, we should strengthen State responsibility and promote pragmatic cooperation. The primary responsibility for non-proliferation lies with Governments. States should be respected and supported in developing non-proliferation policies and improving their non-proliferation legislation according to their own national conditions. All parties should intensify their pragmatic cooperation on non-proliferation, based on equality and mutual respect, and focus on meeting developing countries’ needs for international assistance in this area.

Thirdly, we should maintain fair and balanced approaches and resolve issues through political and diplomatic means. All parties should consistently promote the appropriate settlement of non-proliferation-related hotspot issues through political and diplomatic means. Unilateralism, double standards and discriminatory practices should be rejected so as to safeguard the authority and validity of the international non-proliferation regime.

Fourthly, we must comply with the resolution’s mandate to the letter and conduct the Committee’s work in an orderly manner. The principle of consensus should continue to be adhered to, the Committee’s Working Groups should function in a balanced manner, and the States’ capacity to implement the resolutions should be strengthened in a bid to lay a solid foundation for promoting the full implementation of Resolution 1540 (2004).

China stands firmly against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. We have consistently and strictly fulfilled our international non-proliferation obligations and taken an active part in international and regional non-proliferation cooperation. We are committed to promoting a political solution to non-proliferation-related hotspot issues and support the due role of the United Nations in the field of non-proliferation. As always, we stand ready to work with all parties to contribute to advancing the work of the 1540 Committee, strengthening the global governance of non-proliferation and maintaining world peace and security.