(30th April, 2018 Geneva)

Mr. Chairman,

The establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones is an important step toward a nuclear-weapon-free world, which has great importance in advancing nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, as well as promoting regional and global peace and security. As the ultimate goal of the comprehensive prohibition and thorough elimination of nuclear weapons could not to be achieved over night, it is necessary to adopt feasible intermediate measures in a step by step manner. The international community should continue to support the efforts of non-nuclear-weapon States in establishing nuclear-weapon-free zones on the basis of consultations among themselves and voluntary agreements according to their actual regional situations.

China has always committed not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States or nuclear-weapon-free zones, and firmly supported the global efforts of establishing nuclear-weapon-free zones. China has signed and ratified all the relevant protocols to Treaties on Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones which are open for signature, and has unswervingly fulfilled the relevant obligations.

China firmly supports the establishment of the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia. It has deposited its ratification of the Protocol to the Treaty. We are ready to deepen our cooperation with relevant parties on this issue to jointly maintain the principals and objectives of the Treaty and its Protocol and promote peace and security in central Asia and the world as a whole.

China has resolved all pending issues with ASEAN countries regarding the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. If the ASEAN decide to sign the Protocol with five nuclear weapon states separately, China will actively consider to be the first to sign. Meanwhile, China is ready to assist the ASEAN to resolve disputes on reservation issue with the other four nuclear weapon states on the basis of not affecting previous consensus which have already been reached.

On the issue of Mongolia's nuclear-weapon-free status, China always respects the efforts made by Mongolia. With the efforts made by China, the five nuclear-weapon States issued joint statement that reiterate the support for Mongolia's status and the supply of relevant security assurances. China will continue to honor its commitment and work together with other parties to maintain Mongolia's nuclear-weapon-free status.

Mr. Chairman,

Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction will not only do good to nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, but also help ease tension in the Middle East and promote regional and global peace and stability.

China firmly supports to implement the Action Plan of the 8th Review Conference of the NPT and to convene the International Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction at an early date. We fully understand the concerns of Arabic countries in this regard, and call upon all relevant parties to demonstrate political will and take practical measures to strive to reach consensus on the arrangements of the Conference as soon as possible. China is willing to participate actively in the relevant process and provide all necessary assistance.

Meanwhile, China calls on that states concerned in the region of Middle East should sign and ratify Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements with IAEA, Israel should accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear-weapon State, and the international society should continue to encourage concerned states to sign and ratify the Additional Protocol.

The Chinese delegation has submitted a working paper on nuclear issues, which elaborates China's relevant positions. We hope the elements contained therein will be reflected in the report of this PrepCom.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.