Question: After the UK, the US and Australia announced the new military partnership, some relevant country said that this is in compliance with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and it will support the non-proliferation regime. What is your comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: By openly providing assistance to Australia, a non-nuclear weapon state, in its acquisition and building of the nuclear-powered submarine, the US and the UK, as state parties to the NPT as well as nuclear weapon states, will apparently give rise to the proliferation of nuclear materials and technologies. Saying that this is in compliance with the obligation under the NPT is misleading and self-deceiving. This contradicts the purpose, objective and core obligation of the NPT to the detriment of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime with the NPT at its core and the on-going international nonproliferation efforts. This action is a source of grave concern in international community including countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It is unwelcome and dangerous. China firmly safeguards the validity of the international non-proliferation regime and registers its grave concern at this development.

I want to stress that there is only one system in the world, that is, the UN-centered international order; there is only one set of rules, that is, the basic norms governing international relations with the UN Charter as its cornerstone. No country or group is entitled to define the international order, still less to impose their standard on others. China always opposes certain countries forming small clique that target other countries. Such unpopular practice will receive no support and lead to nowhere.

China is not only a major engine of economic growth in the Asia-Pacific but also a staunch defender of regional peace and stability. As a responsible country in the Asia-Pacific region, China pursues a neighbourhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and has made important contribution to regional peace, stability and prosperity. Some individual country provokes arm race, forms a bloc and incites confrontation to serve its selfish interest and pursuit of hegemony. This action will only damage regional solidarity and cooperation, undermine regional peace and stability and threaten the prospects for regional peace and development.

China is resolute in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and it is firmly against any action that undermines regional and global peace and stability. We urge the relevant countries to make a wise judgement and avoid being reduced to a tool of division and conflict or a trouble maker that destabilizes the Asia-Pacific region.