(Photo by Wang Ying, Xinhua News Agency)

Tomorrow will mark the twentieth anniversary of the opening for signature in New York of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Twenty years ago, in order to comprehensively ban nuclear weapon test explosions and any other nuclear explosion, thereby effectively advancing the process of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament and enhancing international peace and security, the international community negotiated and concluded the CTBT. Over the past 20 years, the nuclear-test ban has become a common consensus of the international community.

Today’s adoption by the Security Council of resolution 2310 (2016) is of positive significance in commemorating the opening for signature of the CTBT, reaffirming the purpose of the nuclear-test ban and pushing for an early entry into force of the Treaty.

China has always stood for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. We have adhered to the policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons, under no circumstances will China use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States or nuclear-weapon-free zones.

China was among the first countries to sign the CTBT. We have been steadfast in maintaining the object and purpose of the CTBT and in abiding by our nuclear-test moratorium commitment. We will continue to work with all parties to push for the early entry into force of the CTBT and make unremitting efforts for the realization of the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons.