Israel should join the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as a non-nuclear-weapon state, a senior Chinese official said Thursday.

Chen Qiufa, chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority and director of the Chinese mission to the International Atomic Energy Agency, made the remarks at an IAEA board of governors meeting.

Chen said that Israel should also place all of its nuclear facilities under IAEA supervision.

China "has always insisted on building a non-nuclear-weapon area in the Middle East," Chen said.

The prevention of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East is conducive to peace and stability in the region and is in line with the interests of all involved parties, he said.

"Meanwhile, all the countries in the region should conscientiously fulfill NPT obligations, as well as sign and ratify the IAEA agreements and its Additional Protocols," Chen added.

Chen called on the related parties to continue to cooperate with each other and seek a solution that is able to take care of everyone's interests through talks and negotiations.

He also expressed the willingness of the Chinese government to cooperate with the international community to build a non-nuclear-weapon area in the Middle East.

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