China attaches great importance to global nuclear governance

A senior Chinese official said on Monday that China attaches great importance to global nuclear governance.

Wang Qun, director-general of the Arms Control Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made the remarks at the third session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

The meeting, which runs from April 28 to May 9 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, is the third of three sessions that have been held prior to the 2015 Review Conference.

In his speech, Wang expounded on China's views on global nuclear governance and the NPT review process among other issues, stressing that his country gives much weight to them.

He noted that China's recently expressed approach to nuclear security and overall national security is not only a reflection of the "Chinese Dream" in the field of international security, but also the fundamental starting point of China's engagement in international security affairs and the global nuclear management in particular.

The senior official also elaborated on Chinese leaders' relevant concepts as well as China's nuclear security policies and practices.

The purpose of the PrepCom is to prepare for the Review Conference in terms of assessing the implementation of each article of the NPT and facilitating discussion among States with a view to making recommendations to the Review Conference.

The NPT, which entered into force in 1970 and was extended indefinitely in 1995, requires that review conferences be held every five years. The Treaty is regarded as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.

It was designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to further the goal of nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament, and to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.