China News Agency, Berlin, March 9th, Vienna News: The March Board Meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (hereinafter referred to as the "Agency") is currently being held in Vienna.
Driven by China, the agency has considered the issue of US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation for the seventh consecutive time in the form of intergovernmental discussions.
On the 9th, Li Song, China's Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, made a special speech to clarify China's position.
On March 9 local time, the March Board Meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency was held in Vienna.
Photo provided by China News Agency to the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna
Li Song pointed out that the nuclear submarine cooperation between the United States, Britain and Australia poses a serious risk of nuclear proliferation, impacts the international nuclear non-proliferation system, stimulates an arms race, and undermines peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. It has been widely questioned and opposed by regional countries and the international community.
We urge the US, UK, and Australia to abandon the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game, faithfully fulfill their international obligations, and do more things that are conducive to regional peace and stability.
Li Song said that the essence of US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation is that the US and the UK, as nuclear-weapon states and depositary countries of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), for the well-known narrow geopolitical and strategic security purposes, are paying their respects to Australia, a Western military ally, and the NPT. Non-nuclear-weapon States have transferred tons of weapons-grade HEU.
This is a textbook-level case of nuclear proliferation, which flagrantly violates the goals and principles of the NPT, poses a severe challenge to the NPT's current safeguards and supervision system and the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and will cause endless harm.
Li Song said that the US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation is obviously not a peaceable cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy that is harmless to humans and animals. It must be considered in the context of its negative impact on international and regional security and the effectiveness of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. examine.
Regardless of whether the United States, Britain and Australia are willing or not, these factors will linger in the minds of NPT member states and member countries of the organization, and it is also a reality that the organization's secretariat cannot avoid.
Whether and how to carry out safeguards and supervision of such activities is related to the integrity and effectiveness of the NPT, and is related to the interests of all member states of the agency. It is reasonable for all member states to seek appropriate solutions through intergovernmental discussions.
Li Song emphasized that US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation is not a simple matter of black and white, nor is it a political choice of sides, but a complex issue involving different interests, concerns, views, and propositions of all parties, which requires sustained efforts by member states of the organization. Pay attention and fully discuss.
If we talk about choosing sides, everyone should stand on the side of maintaining the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.
China respects the right of other parties to express their opinions, and has no intention of imposing its own views on others. At the same time, it firmly opposes any country doing so.
The United States, Britain and Australia flaunt the so-called "highest standard of non-proliferation", while labeling normal intergovernmental discussions as "politicized" and rejecting relevant multilateral discussions. Is this what they call a "rules-based international order"?
Institutions and broader multilateral non-proliferation mechanisms do not welcome or accept such "rules" and "orders"!
Li Song pointed out that at an important point when the United States, Britain and Australia are about to announce specific plans for nuclear submarine cooperation, it is especially necessary for the International Atomic Energy Agency to continue to promote this open, transparent, inclusive and sustainable intergovernmental discussion process.
This is the embodiment of true multilateralism.
Only genuine multilateralism can effectively maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime.
During this process, China is willing to maintain candid and professional communication with the member states of the institution, including the United States, Britain and Australia, and jointly properly deal with the issue of nuclear submarine cooperation among the three countries.
Before the member states of the agency reach a consensus, the three countries should not reach relevant safeguards and supervision arrangements with the Secretariat, let alone carry out relevant cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines.
Li Song called on the member states of the agency to actively participate in the intergovernmental discussion process and contribute their wisdom and strength to the maintenance of the global nuclear non-proliferation system.
He said that China believes that the director-general and the secretariat of the agency can play their due roles in this process and assist member states to maintain and advance the intergovernmental discussion process.
We urge the US, UK, and Australia to respond to the concerns of the international community with concrete actions, earnestly fulfill their nuclear non-proliferation obligations, and maintain candid and transparent communication with other member states on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
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