1. China is opposed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery means.  As a state party to a series of international non-proliferation treaties, such as Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), China strictly abides by its treaty obligations, supports and participates actively in the international efforts to maintain and strengthen global non-proliferation regime.

2. China joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1984, and since then all its activities in the field of international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy are fully subject to the IAEA safeguards.  China supports the efforts by the IAEA in strengthening the safeguards regime.  On March 28, 2002, China announced the entry into force of the Additional Protocol to the safeguards agreement between China and the IAEA, thus becoming the first of the five nuclear-weapon states to do so.  China acceded to the BWC in November 1984, and ratified the CWC in December 1996.  China declared in 1992 that it would act in accordance with the then guidelines and parameters of the Missile Technology Control Regime in its export of missiles.  In 2000, China declared that it had no intention to assist any country in any way in the development of ballistic missiles that can be used for delivering nuclear weapons.

3. For the sake of non-proliferation, the Chinese Government has always taken a prudent and responsible attitude in the field of export control, and has exercised strict control over export of sensitive items and technologies related to WMDs and their means of delivery.  By fully drawing on relevant international practice including some plural-lateral export control regime and the export control experience of other countries, China has been consistently improving its export control system and gradually establishing and improving its legal system of export control based on licensing management. To date, China has established a comprehensive export control system on sensitive items with its export control regulations fully covering nuclear, biological, chemical, missiles and all other relevant military products. These efforts brought China's export control principles and measures in the field of non-proliferation fully in line with international practices.

-- The Chinese Government promulgated theRegulations on Nuclear Export Controlin 1997 and theRegulations on the Control of Nuclear Dual-Use Items and Related Technologies Exportin 1998.  These regulations are prescribed with reference to the export control lists of the “Zangger Committee” and “Nuclear Suppliers Group”.  China exercises strict and effective export control over nuclear materials and nuclear dual-use items according to these regulations.

-- China promulgated the Regulations on theAdministration of the Controlled Chemicalsin 1995.  The attached Controlled Chemicals List is formulated taking into consideration both the provisions of the CWC and the control list of the "Australia Group".  The regulations enforce strict management on the production, stockpiling, use, import and export of the related chemicals.

-- In biological field, China has issued a series of laws and regulations to oversee the activities of production, use, stockpiling, carriage, transport, and transfer of related toxins, viruses, and vaccines.

-- In 1998, China promulgated theRegulations on the Administration of Arms Export, and has accordingly exercised strict and effective control over commercial export of equipment, special production facilities and other materials, technologies and related services that are used for military purposes.

-- In 2001, China promulgated the Administrative Regulations on the Import and Export of Technologies.

-- On August 22, 2002, China promulgated theRegulations on Export Control of Missiles and Missile-related Items and Technologies.  It has then exercised far stricter control over the export of missiles and missile-related dual-use items and technologies.  TheExport Control Listattached to the regulations has been formulated in light of both China’s national conditions and its practice in export control.  It has also fully drawn on the Equipment and Technology Annex of the MTCR.

-- On October 14, 2002, China promulgated theRegulations on Export Control of Dual-use Biological Agents and Related Equipment and Technologiesand itsControl List(to be effective on December 1, 2002).  On October 18, 2002, theMeasures on Export Control of Certain Chemicals and Related Equipment and Technologiesand itsControl Listwere promulgated in the form of the Decree of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, the State Economic and Trade Commission and the General Administration of Customs (to be effective on November 19, 2002).  The above-mentioned regulations and measures are formulated on the basis of both taking full consideration of China’s national conditions and bringing in line with the international practice, so that they could further improve China's export control of dual-use biological agents, certain chemicals and related equipment and technologies.

At present, China has established a comprehensive legal system on non-proliferation and export control, covering all kinds of sensitive items in nuclear, biological, chemical and missile fields as well as all military goods.

4. China believes that since the proliferation of WMDs has its complex causes, non-proliferation efforts should follow the principle of seeking both temporary and permanent solutions, and these solutions should be sought through political and diplomatic means.  A general improvement in international relations is both the fundamental way to eliminate threats and the precondition and guarantee for international non-proliferation endeavors.  To establish a just, fair and effective regime should be the orientation for international non-proliferation efforts.  Such efforts should be non-discriminatory and without prejudice to the security of all countries, and ensure the rights of every country to the peaceful uses of advanced science and technology and to normal international cooperation in this field.  The consolidation of the existing non-proliferation regime and the establishment of a new one should be based on universal participation and democratic decision-making by all countries with a full play to the role of the UN.

China is ready to work with the international community to promote the development and improvement of the international non-proliferation regime and make contribution to international peace, stability and development.