I. Basic Stand

China has always stood for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, and is firmly against the proliferation of such weapons and their means of delivery. China does not support, encourage or assist any country in developing WMD and their means of delivery.

China firmly supports international non-proliferation efforts, and stands for the attainment of the non-proliferation goal through political and diplomatic means. To this end, on the one hand, the international non-proliferation mechanism should be constantly improved and export controls of individual countries further strengthened; on the other hand, proliferation issues should be dealt with through dialogue and international cooperation.

The fundamental purpose of non-proliferation is to safeguard and promote international and regional peace and security, and non-proliferation measures should be conducive to achieving this goal. The proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery have its complicated causes and are closely related to the international and regional security environment. Promoting the universal improvement of international relations, achieving security for all, and fairly and reasonably settling relevant regional security issues will be conducive to international non-proliferation efforts to proceed in a smooth manner.

Universal participation of the international community in non-proliferation efforts is essential and that a fair, rational and non-discriminatory nature of the non-proliferation regime must be ensured. Both the improvement of the existing mechanisms and the establishment of new ones should be based on the universal participation of all countries and democratic decision making process. Unilateralism and double standards should be abandoned, and great importance be attached and full play given to the role of the United Nations.

Given the dual-use nature of relevant materials, equipment and technologies in the nuclear, biological, chemical and aerospace fields, it is important that all countries, in implementing their non-proliferation policies, strike a proper balance between non-proliferation and international cooperation for peaceful use of relevant high technologies. In this connection, on the one hand, under the precondition of achieving the non-proliferation objective, the rights of all countries, especially the developing countries, to utilize and share dual-use scientific and technological achievements and products for peaceful purposes should be guaranteed; on the other hand, it is also necessary to prevent any country from engaging in proliferation activities under the pretext of peaceful use.

II. Actively Participating in International Non-Proliferation Efforts

China actively participates in nonproliferation process at both regional and international levels. Up to date, China supports the United Nations to play its due role in nonproliferation area and has signed all international treaties in this field and joined all relevant international organizations.

In the nuclear field, China joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1984, and voluntarily placed its civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. It acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1992, and was among the first countries to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996. China became a member of the Zangger Committee in 1997. China signed the Additional Protocol to the Agreement Between China and IAEA for the Application of Safeguards in China in 1998, and in early 2002 formally completed the domestic legal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the Additional Protocol, thus becoming the first nuclear-weapon state to complete such procedures. China has actively participated in the work of the IAEA, the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO and other related international organizations. It supports the IAEA's efforts to prevent potential nuclear terrorist activities, and has played an active and constructive role in amending the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials. China joined the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in May, 2004.

China has actively supported relevant countries in their efforts to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones. It has signed and ratified the relevant protocols to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco), the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Rarotonga), and the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba). China has made clear commitment to signing the protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Bangkok). China supports the establishment of the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.

In the biological field, China acceded to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BWC) in 1984, and has strictly observed its obligations under the Convention. As from 1988, it has, on an annual basis, submitted to the UN the declaration data of the confidence-building measures for the BWC in accordance with the decision of its Review Conference. China is actively committed to enhancing the effectiveness of the BWC.

In the chemical field, China played a positive role in the negotiation on and conclusion of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC). It signed the Convention in 1993 and deposited its instrument of ratification in 1997. China supports the work of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and has earnestly fulfilled its obligations under the CWC. China has promulgated and implemented relevant laws, established the National Authority for the implementation of the CWC, and has timely submitted initial declarations and various annual declarations. Uptill December 2012, China has received more than 300 on-site inspections by the OPCW.

In the missile field, China supports the international community in its efforts to prevent the proliferation of missiles and related technologies and materials, and adopts an open attitude toward all proposals for strengthening the missile non-proliferation mechanism. China constructively participated in the work of the UN Panel of Governmental Experts on Missiles in All Its Aspects.

China attaches importance to international exchange and cooperation in the area of nonproliferation and export control. With a view to learning from each other, China maintains constant dialogue and communication with the EU, the US and other counties, organizations and plural-national export control regimes.

III. Strengthening Non-Proliferation Export Control System

The Chinese Government is of the view that effective export control serves as an important means to pursue the nonproliferation goal. As a country with certain capacity in industry, science and technology, China has adopted highly responsible policies and measures in this regard. After years of endeavors, China has completed a transition in its nonproliferation export control from an administrative pattern to one based on law with relevant measures basically in line with common international practices.

The regulations on non-proliferation export control that Chinese Government has promulgated and implemented include "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Control of Nuclear Export", "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Nuclear Dual-Use Items and Related Technologies", "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-Use Biological Agents and Related Equipment and Technologies", "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Controlled Chemicals, Measures on Export Control of Certain Chemicals and Related Equipment and Technologies", "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Missiles and Missile-related Items and Technologies", "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Arms Export" , "Catalogue of Dual-use Items and Technologies Subject to Import and Export License" and other regulations.

The above-mentioned regulations and related control lists form a complete system for the export control of nuclear, biological, chemical, missiles and other sensitive items and technologies, as well as all military products. This system integrates the valuable experience of multi-national export control mechanisms and other countries with its own national conditions, and widely adopts prevailing export control methods and principles such as export registration system, licensing system, end-user and end-use certification and list control method.

The Chinese Government has made continuous efforts to improve this control system in light of the situation and our international obligation. For example, in January 2006, the Chinese Government promulgated the "Measures on Administration of Import License of Dual-Use Goods and Technology", and updates "Catalogue of Dual-use Items and Technologies Subject to Import and Export License" annually. In May 2009 the Chinese Government promulgated ''Measures on General License for export of Dual-Use Items and Technology'', optimizing the measure of administration, improving the efficiency of working. According to its obligations as a member of the NSG, China amended the "Regulations of the PRC on the Control of Nuclear Export" and "Regulations of the PRC on the Control of Nuclear Dual-Use Items and Related Technologies Export" in November 2006 and January 2007 respectively. Taking into consideration our own national conditions and the practice of Australia Group, the Chinese Government amended the Control List of the "Regulations of the PRC on the Export Control of Dual-Use Biological Agents and Related Equipment and Technologies " in July 2006. In consideration of the practical needs of non-proliferation export control, since September 2006, the Chinese Government has adopted temporary control on the export of all graphite products, requiring licenses for the export of all of these products.

In order to ensure the effective implementation of these laws and regulations, the Chinese Government spares no efforts in mechanism building, publicizing relevant policies and regulations, educating enterprises, and investigating and handling cases of violation. So far, a mechanism for clearer division of responsibility and coordination has been established among relevant government agencies. Immediately after the non-proliferation export control regulations are issued, the full text of the regulations and control lists are published in the professional publications and on the web sites of the government agencies, foreign trade enterprises and research institutes concerned. To ensure compliance by export enterprises at all stages of export, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs have formulated the Export Licensing Catalogue of Sensitive Items and Technologies (i.e. the commodities on the lists attached to relevant export control regulations bearing Customs HS codes). To ensure accurate and scientific decision in the process of license approval, competent authorities have set up an expert supporting system that consists of experts from relevant fields. The Chinese Government has also actively carried out public awareness campaigns to ensure implementation of the regulations by relevant enterprises and institutions, and established a system involving application, examination and approval, certificate issuance and customs control, inspection and clearance that applies to all interested exporters. The Chinese Government is also committed to enhancing capacity-building in the field of export control law enforcement, and attaches great importance to dealing with cases of violations relating to non-proliferation. It has established an inter-agency contingency coordinating mechanism for export control, and conducts serious investigations into suspected cases and deals with violators according to law.

II. Actively Participating in International Non-Proliferation Efforts

China actively participates in nonproliferation process at both regional and international levels. Up to date, China supports the United Nations to play its due role in nonproliferation area and has signed all international treaties in this field and joined all relevant international organizations.

In the nuclear field, China joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1984, and voluntarily placed its civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. It acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1992, and was among the first countries to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996. China became a member of the Zangger Committee in 1997. China signed the Additional Protocol to the Agreement Between China and IAEA for the Application of Safeguards in China in 1998, and in early 2002 formally completed the domestic legal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the Additional Protocol, thus becoming the first nuclear-weapon state to complete such procedures. China has actively participated in the work of the IAEA, the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO and other related international organizations. It supports the IAEA's efforts to prevent potential nuclear terrorist activities, and has played an active and constructive role in amending the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials. China joined the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in May, 2004.

China has actively supported relevant countries in their efforts to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones. It has signed and ratified the relevant protocols to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco), the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Rarotonga), and the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba). China has made clear commitment to signing the protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Bangkok). China supports the establishment of the Central Asian nuclear-weapon-free zone.

In the biological field, China acceded to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BWC) in 1984, and has strictly observed its obligations under the Convention. As from 1988, it has, on an annual basis, submitted to the UN the declaration data of the confidence-building measures for the BWC in accordance with the decision of its Review Conference. China is actively committed to enhancing the effectiveness of the BWC.

In the chemical field, China played a positive role in the negotiation on and conclusion of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC). It signed the Convention in 1993 and deposited its instrument of ratification in 1997. China supports the work of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and has earnestly fulfilled its obligations under the CWC. China has promulgated and implemented relevant laws, established the National Authority for the implementation of the CWC, and has timely submitted initial declarations and various annual declarations. Up till April 2010, China has received more than 220 on-site inspections by the OPCW.

In the missile field, China supports the international community in its efforts to prevent the proliferation of missiles and related technologies and materials, and adopts an open attitude toward all proposals for strengthening the missile non-proliferation mechanism. China constructively participated in the work of the UN Panel of Governmental Experts on Missiles in All Its Aspects.

China attaches importance to international exchange and cooperation in the area of nonproliferation and export control. With a view to learning from each other, China maintains constant dialogue and communication with the EU, the US and other counties, organizations and plural-national export control regimes.