Chinese president makes five-point proposal for building safer world

• Source: Xinhua
• [23:42 September 24 2009]
• Comments

Chinese President Hu Jintao (Front) addresses the Summit on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Disarmament at the United Nations headquarters in New York Sept. 24, 2009.

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday made a five-point proposal for building a safer world for all through nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

When addressing a UN Security Council nuclear summit, the Chinese president said, "To realize a safer world for all, we must first and foremost remove the threat of nuclear war."

He called for efforts be made in the following five areas:

First, to maintain global strategic balance and stability and vigorously advance nuclear disarmament:

All nuclear-weapon states should fulfill in good faith obligations under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and publicly undertake not to seek permanent possession of nuclear weapons.

"Countries with the largest nuclear arsenals should continue to take the lead in making drastic and substantive reductions in their nuclear weapons," he said.

Second, to abandon the nuclear deterrence policy based on first use of nuclear weapons and take credible steps to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons:

"All nuclear-weapon states should make an unequivocal commitment of unconditionally not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones, and conclude a legally-binding international instrument in this regard," Hu said.

Third, to consolidate the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons:

"All countries should join the NPT and real efforts should be made to uphold and enhance its authority and effectiveness. The function of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in safeguards should be strengthened," he said.

Fourth, to fully respect the right of all countries to peaceful use of nuclear energy and carry out active international cooperation:

"Developed countries should actively assist developing countries in developing and using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The IAEA should increase input to promote technical cooperation and assistance in nuclear power, nuclear safety and security, and nuclear technology application," Hu said.