Mr. Chair,

Strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and eliminating nuclear proliferation risk are the inherent elements in efforts to preserve the NPT, which contribute to international and regional peace and stability, and serve the common interest of the international community. While new opportunities and challenges derive from the undergoing profound and complex changes of the international security situation, further efforts should be made to address issues related to nuclear non-proliferation.

Firstly, to pursue the philosophy of building a community with a shared future for mankind so as to foster a favorable security environment. An integrated approach should be taken to address both the causes and symptoms of nuclear proliferation issues. In this regard, a new concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security should be upheld, and the international and regional environment featuring fairness, justice and universal security should be built up, so as to eliminate the root causes of nuclear proliferation.

Secondly, to uphold multilateralism with a view to resolving proliferation issues through political and diplomatic means. Dialogue and negotiation should be carried out within the framework of existing international laws, multilateral agreements should be faithfully implemented, and authority of the UN should be defended. Unilateral withdrawal from multilateral agreements and mechanism, and practice of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction, as well as threat of force should be resolutely opposed.

Thirdly, to stick to principles in safeguarding authority of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. The NPT obligations should be complied with in a comprehensive, faithful and balanced manner. Double standards should be abandoned, and the existence or absence of affinities between States should not become the basis on setting non-proliferation standards. As the destabilizing factors and uncertainties in international security environment are on the increase, it is of particular importance to hold this bottom line. States that have not yet joined the NPT should do so as non-nuclear-weapon States as soon as possible, and place all of their nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the IAEA in accordance with the Treaty provisions. Earnest efforts should be made to promote universality of the IAEA comprehensive safeguards agreements and additional protocols.

Fourthly, to handle the relationship between nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy in the principles of fairness and balance. Preventing proliferation and promoting peaceful use are mutually reinforcing. Any measure taken to prevent nuclear proliferation should not undermine the legitimate rights of States to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, all proliferation activities carried out under the pretext of peaceful use should be prohibited.

Mr. Chair,

China has submitted to this PrepCom its National Report on the Implementation of the NPT, which contains a comprehensive description of China's achievements in honoring its NPT commitments. As a practical measure taken by China in promoting progress in the NPT review process, this reflects China's firm political support for the Treaty.

China remains committed to strengthening the authority, universality and effectiveness of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime with the NPT as its cornerstone. China firmly opposes any forms of nuclear proliferation, fulfills its international non-proliferation obligations in a faithful and comprehensive manner, and strictly implements relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. In recent years, China has spared no efforts to strengthen and improve its national non-proliferation system in areas such as mechanism construction, legislation, enforcement and capacity building, in order to ensure effective implementation of non-proliferation policies.

Mr. Chair,

As the permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible state, China actively participated in the international non-proliferation cooperation, and has made unremitted efforts in promoting political and diplomatic resolution of relevant regional nuclear issues.

On the Iranian nuclear issue, continued implementation of the JCPOA is indispensable in safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime as well as the peace and stability of the Middle East, and remains as the sole realistic and effective approach to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. The JCPOA, as a multilateral agreement endorsed by the UN Security Council, should be implemented by all parties. China appreciates Iran's earnest implementation of its nuclear obligations and expects Iran continues to do so, while the international community is called upon to underpin the political momentum on preserving the JCPOA, and safeguard Iran's economic dividends arsing from the JCPOA. We also urge the United States to fulfill its obligations, abandon unconstructive practice such as "maximum pressure", unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction, and respond to the concerns of the international community in a responsible manner.

On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, continued dialogue and detente serve the common interest of the international community. We should encourage the DPRK and the United States to remain patient and keep moving toward the goal of denuclearizing the peninsula and establishing a peace regime. As the nuclear issue has dragged on for decades, one cannot expect it to be solved overnight. It would be useful to jointly work out a general roadmap for denuclearization and the establishment of a peace regime. Based on the roadmap and in a phased and synchronized fashion, we may identify specific, interlinked and mutually reinforcing steps, which will be taken in sequence, starting with the easier ones, and monitored in a way agreed to by the parties. China's position on the issue has been consistent. We are committed to achieving the denuclearization of the peninsula, to solving the issue through dialogue and to maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula. We will, along with the other parties, continue to contribute to achieving these goals.

The Chinese delegation has submitted a working paper on nuclear non-proliferation issue, and we hope that elements contained therein will be duly reflected in the report of the Preparatory Committee.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.