According to the website of the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations, on October 16th local time, China's arms reduction ambassador Li Chijiang gave a speech at the 81st session of the First Committee of the United Nations regarding nuclear issues. He called for the international community to work together to address the risks and challenges in the nuclear field.
Li Chijiang emphasized that nuclear weapons should not be used, and nuclear warfare should not be waged. Relevant countries should stop deploying global anti-missile systems, stop deploying strategic offensive and defensive weapons near other nuclear weapon states, and cease preparations for nuclear tests and the development of practical nuclear weapons for combat.
Li Chijiang pointed out that some non-nuclear countries are stockpiling large amounts of plutonium materials that have no credible civilian uses. This contributes to the revision of the 'Three Non-Nuclear Principles', and they publicly advocate for self-reliant nuclear possession. The international community must become more vigilant and impose strict controls on such practices.
Mr. Chairman,
Over the past year, the global security situation has become more complex and severe. The confrontation within the multilateral nuclear arms control mechanisms has intensified, and concerns about nuclear arms races and nuclear warfare have risen among the international community.
Cold War mentality is the greatest source of deterioration in the international strategic security environment. Some countries strive for absolute military superiority. They not only invest heavily in upgrading their 'trinity' nuclear forces but also pursue the development and actual deployment of low-yield nuclear weapons. They claim to consider the use of tactical nuclear weapons against other nuclear weapon states during conflicts, continuously increasing the risk of nuclear war.
Double standards are the biggest challenge to the international nuclear non-proliferation mechanism. Countries that belong to the “nuclear alliance” claim to support nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, but in reality, they continue to increase their dependence on nuclear weapons. “Nuclear sharing” and “extended deterrence” are discriminatory arrangements that create inequality among non-nuclear countries. These practices are ongoing acts of proliferation, violate the purposes and objectives of the Treaty on Nuclear Non-Proliferation, and undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation mechanism.
Unilateralism is the biggest obstacle to global governance in the nuclear sphere. Relevant countries misuse multilateral mechanisms and platforms to provoke confrontation between camps, putting their own interests above international arms control treaties, and selectively fulfilling international obligations. This undermines the global strategic balance and stability, leading to a growing politicalization, factionalization, and fragmentation of the multilateral arms control process.
The international community should adopt a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable approach to security, working together to address the risks and challenges in the nuclear field. The Chinese side wishes to propose the following ideas:
Firstly, it is necessary to curb the dangerous tendency of "winning a nuclear war" and effectively reduce nuclear risks. Nuclear weapons should not be used, and nuclear wars should not be fought. Countries possessing nuclear weapons should abandon their nuclear deterrence policies based on winning nuclear wars and the first use of nuclear weapons. They should negotiate and conclude a "Treaty on NonFirstUse of Nuclear Weapons" and international legal instruments for nonnuclear security. Security is indivisible; pursuing absolute national security will only lead to greater insecurity for all countries. Relevant countries should stop deploying global anti-missile systems, stop deploying strategic offensive and defensive weapons in proximity to other nuclear weapon states, and cease preparations for nuclear tests and the development of nuclear weapons for actual combat.
Secondly, it is necessary to maintain the existing nuclear arms control treaty system and promote global governance in the nuclear field. It is regrettable that the eleventh review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons did not yield any results. However, the international community firmly believes that the treaty remains the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, as well as a key pillar of the international security order after World War II. The three pillars of the treaty should be promoted in a comprehensive and balanced manner. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which has effectively played a role in curbing the arms race. The international consensus against nuclear tests cannot be challenged. The wrong practice of deliberately damaging other countries in order to find excuses for resuming nuclear tests is unacceptable. The promise of “suspending nuclear tests” should be fulfilled. China firmly supports the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, including those in the Middle East. China calls on the international community to maintain the authority and effectiveness of the existing nuclear arms control treaty system and to unite around multilateralism to counter unilateral actions that undermine this system.
Third, we must firmly pursue the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world and strengthen the international consensus on nuclear disarmament. All nuclear-weapon states should publicly pledge not to seek permanent possession of nuclear weapons, adhering to the principles of “maintaining global strategic stability” and “ensuring that the security of all nations is not compromised.” Nuclear disarmament should be advanced in a step-by-step manner. Those states with the largest nuclear arsenals should earnestly fulfill their special and prioritized responsibilities in nuclear disarmament, making substantial reductions in their nuclear arsenals, rather than pursuing “the most powerful, credible, and modern nuclear deterrence.” States involved in nuclear sharing and extended deterrence arrangements should reduce the role of nuclear weapons in national security policies and make efforts to reduce nuclear risks, ceasing to create obstacles to nuclear disarmament.
Fourth, support for international nuclear energy cooperation and the safeguarding of the development rights of countries in the Global South are essential. Efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons should not undermine the rights of developing countries to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. China supports the creation of a inclusive and sustainable nuclear energy development environment through exchanges and cooperation. We will continue to submit a resolution to the United Nations calling for international cooperation in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It is hoped that all countries will actively support this initiative. The peaceful use of nuclear energy should not be used as a pretext for nuclear proliferation. Some non-nuclear countries are accumulating large amounts of plutonium with no credible civilian uses, pushing for changes to the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles.” They openly advocate for self-ownership of nuclear weapons. The international community must remain vigilant and impose strict controls in such cases.
Mr. President,
China remains committed to the position of completely banning and eliminating nuclear weapons. It consistently adheres to the policy of not using nuclear weapons first. China has never ceased its efforts to maintain global strategic security and stability. Over the past year, China released the white paper "China's Military Control, Disarmament, and Non-Proliferation in the New Era," held an international seminar on "Promoting Multilateralism and Advancing Military Control Diplomacy." China also actively participated in the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, as well as United Nations processes related to nuclear weapons zones and the impact of nuclear wars. It continues to promote preparations for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, takes transparent measures such as inviting visits to decommissioned nuclear facilities and actively reporting tests with submarine-launched ballistic missiles. These actions demonstrate China's responsibility as a major country in promoting the multilateral process of military control.
China will continue to implement the global development initiative, global security initiative, global civilization initiative, and global governance initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. It will practice true multilateralism and work with all parties to advance the international nuclear arms control process, continuously improve global governance in the nuclear field, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Thank you, Mr./Ms. Chairman.
