China reiterated its firm opposition to the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
"China has steadfastly pursued a policy of not advocating,
encouraging or assisting any other country in developing weapons of
mass destruction,'' Sha Zukang, China's permanent representative to
the United Nations Office in Geneva, said on Tuesday in London.
China has throughout stood for the complete prohibition and
thorough destruction of all kinds of weapons of mass destruction,
he added.
Sha said China has established a set of complete and effective
mechanisms to tighten management and control on nuclear
exports.
The nation has incorporated international practices such as the
end-use and end-user guarantee system, licensing system, control
list and "catch-all'' principle into its export controls in
nuclear, biological, chemical, missile and other fields, he
said.
"That's why China is opposed to the development and deployment of
the National Missile Defence (NMD) programme which may undermine
the global strategic balance and stability,'' he continued.
Sha's remarks came at the Wilton Park Conference focusing on
reinforcing efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation, currently
being held in London. It runs from December 16-20 in London.
Wilton Park, which hosts over 45 conferences each year, is one of
the world's leading centres for the discussion of international
issues.
Sha said the fundamental solution to the prevention of
proliferation of nuclear weapons lies in the complete prohibition
and thorough destruction of all kinds of nuclear weapons.
He
urged all nations to strictly abide by their current obligations in
respect of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and to try to
reach new treaties.
He
said improvement of the international and regional security
environment and abnegation of double standards will create the
right conditions for the prevention of nuclear proliferation.
(China Daily December 19, 2002)