（May 2010, New York）

Mr. Chairman,

The complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons and establishing a world free of nuclear weapons is one of the important objectives of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). It is also the common aspiration of all the peace-loving people from all countries of the world.

We are glad to see that the goal of establishing a world free of nuclear weapons has become widely embraced. The international community should seize this important opportunity and join hands to make unremitting efforts to gradually advance the international nuclear disarmament process.

First, efforts should be made to foster a peaceful and stable international security environment, so as to lay a sound foundation for the progress of nuclear disarmament. All countries should fully respect and accommodate the legitimate and reasonable security concerns of all countries and ensure security for all through win-win cooperation. Multilateralism should be adhered to, and the authority, universality and effectiveness of relevant multilateral institutions and treaties should be maintained and enhanced, so as to strengthen the international legal framework governing arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

Second, nuclear-weapon states should fulfill in good faith obligations under Article VI of the NPT, and publicly undertake not to seek permanent possession of nuclear weapons. Countries with the largest nuclear arsenals bear special and primary responsibilities, and should continue to take the lead in drastically reducing their nuclear arsenals in a verifiable, irreversible and legally binding way so as to create necessary conditions for achieving the ultimate goal of complete and thorough nuclear disarmament.

Third, it is of great significance that to realize the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and start，at the Conference on Disarmament, the early commencement of the negotiation of a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other explosive devices. The international community should continue to make greater efforts in this regard.

Fourth, nuclear-weapon states should abandon the nuclear deterrence policy based on first-use of nuclear weapons and reduce the role of nuclear weapons in their national security policy. Nuclear-weapon states should undertake not to be the first to use nuclear weapons, and make an unequivocal commitment of unconditionally not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones and conclude a legally-binding international instrument in this regard.

Fifth, nuclear-weapon states should also honor their commitment not to target their nuclear weapons against any country, nor to list any country as targets of nuclear strikes. Countries that deploy nuclear weapons abroad should withdraw and repatriate all such weapons. All necessary steps should be taken to avoid accidental or unauthorized launches of nuclear weapons.

Sixth, when conditions are ripe, other nuclear-weapon states should also join the multilateral negotiations on nuclear disarmament. To attain the ultimate goal of complete and thorough nuclear disarmament, the international community should also develop, at an appropriate time, a viable, long-term plan composed of phased actions, including the conclusion of a convention on the complete prohibition of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Chairman,

The thirteen practical steps for nuclear disarmament contained in the final document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference are still of great relevance. Principles including “maintaining international strategic stability” and “undiminished security for all” should be maintained and adhered to. It is our hope that these principles should be reflected in the final document of this review conference.

It should be stressed that nuclear disarmament is closely linked to international strategic security. Development and deployment of global missile defense systems which undermines global strategic stability and international cooperation in this regard should not be carried out. Multilateral negotiation process to prevent the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space should be vigorously promoted. All these measures will create sound environment and conditions for progress of nuclear disarmament.

Mr. Chairman,

China has all along fulfilled in good faith its nuclear disarmament obligations, actively supported international nuclear disarmament efforts, and made unique contribution in its own way to promote nuclear disarmament.

China has consistently stood for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. China is firmly committed to a nuclear strategy of self-defense and its nuclear weapons pose no threat to any country. China has adhered to the policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstance, and made the unequivocal commitment that we will unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states and nuclear-weapon-free zones. This open, explicit and transparent nuclear policy makes China unique among all nuclear-weapon states.

China has always exercised utmost restraint in the development of nuclear weapons. China never competes with others on nuclear capabilities in terms of input, number or scale, and has never participated in nuclear arms race in any form and nor will we ever do so. China has never deployed any nuclear weapons on foreign territory. China will continue to keep its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security.

China supports the early entry into force of the CTBT, will continue to make its unremitting efforts to this end and continuously observe moratorium on nuclear testing. China has vigorously supported and participated in the preparatory work of the CTBTO, and steadily promote the preparatory work for national implementation of the CTBT. China supports the Conference on Disarmament, based on its program of work, to early commence the negotiation of a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other explosive devices, so as to conclude a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty with the participation of all members of the CD.

China always supports efforts by relevant countries and regions to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones. China has signed and ratified relevant protocols of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, of the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty, and of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. China has reached agreement in principle with ASEAN on the relevant issues concerning the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. China has no difficulty with the current text of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia and its protocol. China is willing to sign the relevant protocols at early date when the above-mentioned treaties are open for signature.

Mr. Chairman,

China is willing to work with the international community to continuously make contributions to the lofty goal of complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons.

The Chinese delegation submitted a working paper entitled Nuclear Disarmament and Reduction of the Danger of Nuclear War at this Review Conference. We hope that the elements in this working paper be fully reflected in the final document of the conference.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.