Chinese Statement on NSAs

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PREPARATORY COMMITTEE
FOR THE 2000 REVIEW CONFERENCE
OF THE PARTIES TO THE TREATY ON
THE NON-PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

SECOND SESSION

STATEMENT BY THE CHINESE DELEGATION
ON THE ISSUE OF NEGATIVE SECURITY ASSURANCES

6 May 1998, Geneva

Mr Chairman,

China always maintains tat the large number of non-nuclear-weapon states are thy justified in demanding the nuclear-weapon states to undertake unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against them, since they have voluntarily forsworn the right to develop nuclear weapons. We believe that the most effective security assurances for the non-nuclear-weapon states is the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, thereby eliminating the material basis of nuclear threat. Pending the attainment of this objective, all the nuclear-weapon states should undertake not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against the non-nuclear-weapon states under any circumstances. During the Second NPT Review Conference in 1980, the non-nuclear-weapon states proposed for the first time to conclude a legally binding international instrument on negative security assurances (NSA). The "Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament", adopted by the 1995 NPT Review Conference, once again calls for the settlement of the NSA issue in the form of a legally binding international instrument.

Since the very first day when China came into possession of nuclear weapons, China has solemnly declared that at no time and under no circumstances will it be the first to use nuclear weapons. China has also undertaken unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones. China is the only nuclear-weapon state in the world that has made and abided by such commitments. We strongly advocate that a legally binding international instrument be concluded at an early date on no use or threat of use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states.

Mr. Chairman,

The new international situation since the end of the Cold War should have provided new opportunities for resolving the NSA issue. The overall international tensions have relaxed, relations among big powers have improved and, peace and development have become the main theme of the times. Under such circumstances, the nuclear-weapon states concerned should abandon the Cold War mentality, reconsider and readjust their nuclear policy and adopt a more positive, fair and reasonable attitude towards providing security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon states. We are of the view that when settling the NSA issue, full consideration should be given to the legitimate interests and demand of the non-nuclear-weapon states while taking into account the different positions of the nuclear-weapon states, and there is no reason to impose various obligations on the non-nuclear-weapon states. NSA is not an unilateral favor but an obligation of the nuclear-weapon-states towards the non-nuclear-weapon-states. It is conducive to the improvement of the international security environment, and thus to the elimination of the incentives for some countries to acquire or develop nuclear weapons. Therefore, NSA is in the security interests of all countries.

China holds that in addition to the commitment of the nuclear-weapon-states on no-use of nuclear weapons against the non-nuclear-weapon states, negative security assurances should also include the commitment by the nuclear-weapon states to no-first-use of nuclear weapons against each other, Under the new international situation, the policy of nuclear deterrence, based on the first use of nuclear weapons, runs counter to the trend of the times, and is detrimental to international peace, security and stability. The nuclear-weapon states concerned should abandon this policy as soon as possible. As early as 994, China officially proposed that a treaty on no-first-use of nuclear weapons be concluded among the nuclear-weapon states, and put forward a draft for this purpose. We hope that positive response will be accorded to our proposal at an early date

Mr. Chairman,

NSA has been an important item on the agenda of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) pursuant to the relevant resolution of the SSOD I. The CD has for many years established an Ad Hoc Committee on NSA, and has gained rich experience in addressing this issue. The UN General Assembly has adopted many resolutions urging the CD to intensify its efforts to conclude an international NSA agreement as early as possible. China welcomes the decision of the CD in its 1998 session to re-establish the Ad Hoc Committee on NSA, and hopes that trough the joint efforts of all parties concerned, a legally binding international instrument on NSA will be concluded at an early date.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.