China calls for prohibition and destruction of nuclear weapons

15:47, April 19, 2010

China stands for the complete prohibition and destruction of nuclear weapons, follows the policy of not using of nuclear weapons first, and promises not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear countries, said Cheng Guoping, assistant minister of foreign affairs at an international conference on nuclear disarmament in Tehran, April 17.

Setting out China's firm position on the issue of nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, Cheng noted that China would not take part in the nuclear arms race in any form and would continue to keep its nuclear forces at the minimum level for necessary for national security.

At the U.N. Security Council summit on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament held in September of last year, President Hu Jintao reiterated that all countries should make joint efforts to set up a peaceful and stable international environment so as to create a safe world for all and resolve international disputes peacefully.

The process for international nuclear disarmament must be carried forward in order to realize the final goal of complete prohibition and destruction of nuclear weapons. China calls for all countries to comply with the obligations prescribed in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and not possess nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, all countries should strive to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The two-day international conference on nuclear disarmament opened in Iranian capital Tehran on April 17. Government officials, non-governmental organizations from 56 countries took part in the conference.

By People's Daily Online