The representative of China has urged nuclear‑weapon countries to show political courage by negotiating and concluding a mutual no‑first‑use treaty, or by issuing a political statement to that effect.

China noted that the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons’ review conference should give equal weight to nuclear threats faced by non‑nuclear‑weapon States.

It called for the early negotiation of an international legal instrument on security assurances for non‑nuclear‑weapon States and said nuclear disarmament must proceed “step by step” while maintaining global strategic stability and undiminished security for all.

A certain country, said China, had been “hyping up the nuclear threats posed by other countries” to justify investing trillions of dollars in nuclear modernisation and promoting so‑called multilateral arms control dialogue to evade their special responsibilities as the largest nuclear‑weapon State.

“Such an attempt to shift the burden of nuclear disarmament to other countries will lead nowhere,” the Chinese government said, adding that “China has no interest in such kind of arrangements”.

It urged that Russia’s proposal be considered and that the follow-up arrangements following the expiration of the New START Treaty be handled in a responsible manner.

Meanwhile, China has warned of nuclear weapon proliferation risks arising from the AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation and called on Israel to join the NPT as a non‑nuclear‑weapon nation and place all nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards.

Expressing concern over Japan’s military policy shifts, China urged the international community to remain alert, reaffirming that it “advocates for the abolition of NATO’s nuclear sharing and extended deterrence arrangements”.

China insisted that its “nuclear strategy of self-defence will not change”, nor will its no‑first‑use policy, opposition to arms racing or willingness to reduce strategic risks, adding that “its commitment to keeping its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security will not change”.