(21 March 2024, Palais des Nations)

Mr. President,

The interactive discussion just now was very helpful. I would like to take this opportunity to share some of my thoughts.

First, to cease the nuclear arms race and promote nuclear disarmament, we need to address the root cause of the issue. The stone wall at the entrance to the UNESCO headquarters carries the inscription of one single message in several languages: Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed. Currently, the nuclear disarmament process faces a range of challenges. The root cause for these challenges lies in certain countries’ fixation on Cold War mentality, major-country competition and ideological confrontation, and their pursuit for absolute security at the cost of security of others.

As we endeavor to move forward the nuclear disarmament process and prevent nuclear war, we need to ponder on one key question: what kind of vision on security shall we advocate? How can we truly deliver on the important principle of “undiminished security for all”? China believes that if the root cause, that is the Cold War mentality, is not removed, then the fundamental motivation for nuclear arms race will always exist, and no disarmament measure will be of real effect.

Second, it is necessary to consider differentiating responsibilities in the discussion on accountability in nuclear disarmament. The concept of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities originated from climate governance, found its application in many other areas, including in the pandemic treaty negotiations currently underway at the WHO. Its core tenet is that while responsibilities are commonly shouldered, there must also be differentiation in light of countries’ different national realities. This principle applies well to nuclear disarmament. There should be “common but differentiated responsibilities” among nuclear-weapon states, among nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states, and among those non-nuclear-weapon-states that participate in a nuclear-sharing arrangement, and other non-nuclear-weapon states. China all along believes that nuclear-weapon states shoulder incumbent nuclear disarmament responsibilities, and that the two countries with the biggest nuclear arsenal has the special and primary responsibility. Just now, a colleague put forward the notion of “three countries with biggest nuclear arsenal”. I would like to indicate that, China is far away from those two in this regard, unless certain states wish us to expand our arsenal to the scale of the US and Russia. Given that some non-nuclear weapon states benefit from so-called “nuclear umbrella” arrangements, should they take responsibilities for nuclear disarmament?

Third, we need to view the issue of nuclear transparency in a comprehensive, objective and rational manner. While we all attach importance to principles of irreversiblity, verifiablility and transparency in nuclear disarmament, some are especially interested in transparency, reporting and accountability, and believe them to be central to nuclear disarmament. China believes that transparency and accountability are means to an end, and cannot substitute nuclear disarmament itself. No disarmament is ever achieved through reporting alone. Countries with biggest nuclear arsenals have realized relative transparency of their nuclear arsenals through bilateral disarmament treaties, but that did not contribute to their disarmament negotiations. When talking about level of transparency, one must also take into account differences in countries’ nuclear policies, nuclear capabilities and security environment, and reject a one-size-fits-all approach.

Mr. President,

On cessation of the nuclear war and nuclear disarmament, China has recently elaborated on its position and propositions on multiple occasions. In summary, they are mainly related to following aspects:

First, States should adhere to the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, resolutely reject the Cold War mentality. We should continuously strengthen the authority and effectiveness of the NPT, and promote its three pillars in a balanced manner.

Second, the principles of “maintaining global strategic stability” and “undiminished security for all” should be followed, and the step-by-step approach should be taken in nuclear disarmament. These steps include, inter alia, that the countries possessing the largest nuclear arsenals should make drastic and substantive reductions in their nuclear arsenals so as to create conditions for other nuclear weapons states to join the nuclear disarmament process; promoting the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty, and supporting the CD to reach consensus on a comprehensive and balanced programme of work, and subsequently commence the negotiation of a FMCT according to the Shannon Mandate with the participation of all related parties.

Third, the role of nuclear weapons in national security doctrines should be substantively diminished. Nuclear-weapon States should reaffirm the principle that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought”, abandon the policies of nuclear deterrence based on the first use of nuclear weapons, adopt the no-first-use of nuclear weapons policy, conclude a multilateral treaty on mutual no-first-use of nuclear weapons or issue a political statement in this regard, and negotiate an legally binding instrument on security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon States. We should also continue to support the efforts by non-nuclear weapon States to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones.

Mr. President,

As a nuclear-weapon State, China has never evaded its responsibility, will continue to make unremitting efforts to promote the international nuclear disarmament process, and achieve the ultimate goal of complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons.

Thank you, Mr. President.