CHINA CCP ANNUAL NUCLEAR CONFERENCE re NPT etc
Ellen Thomas
Regular Press Conference on April 20, 2026
CCTV:
The 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the
Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
will take place from April 27 to May 22. Will China
submit its National Report? What’s China’s
expectations on this conference?
Guo Jiakun: On April 17, the Chinese government submitted the National Report to the 11th NPT Review Conference. This is China’s latest effort to take voluntary and transparent measures to enhance mutual trust and build a good atmosphere for the Review Conference.
The report has reaffirmed China’s nuclear policy featured by responsibility, consistency, and transparency. China is committed to a nuclear strategy that focuses on self-defense and follows a policy of “no first use” of nuclear weapons. China always keeps its nuclear strength at the minimum level required by national security and will never participate in a nuclear arms race. All the above commitments have injected stability and certainty to the world.
China stands firm on safeguarding the authority and effectiveness of the NPT. The report emphasizes that all parties should reaffirm the commitment to the principles of “maintaining global strategic stability” and “undiminished security for all”, and take a step-by-step approach in advancing nuclear disarmament. The report calls for the conclusion of a treaty on mutual no-first-use of nuclear weapons, and voluntary discussions on issues related to nuclear transparency and nuclear risks reduction to effectively prevent nuclear wars. The report also stresses that regional nuclear issues should be addressed peacefully by political and diplomatic means and the rights of developing countries to peacefully use nuclear energy should be protected.
China is highly concerned over the challenges the NPT faces. The report believes that the Review Conference should urge the U.S. to fulfill its special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament, stop armed attacks on nuclear facilities for peaceful purposes in non-nuclear-weapon party states, stop building nuclear alliances based on nuclear sharing arrangements, take measures to hold back the negative moves of countries like Japan to possess nuclear weapons, and properly settle the nuclear proliferation risks brought by nuclear submarine cooperation among the U.S., the UK and Australia.
China will participate in the NPT Review Conference in a constructive way, and will work with all parties to jointly safeguard the authority and effectiveness of international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and promote world peace and global strategic stability.
China-Arab
TV: On the afternoon of April 19, 36,000 Japanese
people gathered in front of the National Diet
Building, strongly opposing moves by Sanae Takaichi’s
government to revise the Constitution. Demonstrators
held placards reading “No to war,” “Do not undermine
Article 9” and “Takaichi step down,” calling for the
protection of Japan’s pacifist Constitution. Can I
have your comment on that?
Guo Jiakun: We also noted that Japan’s push for constitutional revision has been increasingly questioned and rejected in Japan itself as well as its Asian neighbors and the wider world. Japanese militarists have not only committed atrocities to the people in China and other countries in Asia, but also brought profound sufferings to the Japanese people. Japan’s constitutional revision concerns the postwar international order and where Japan is going, and it has been closely watched by the international community and its Asian neighbors. However, so far, the Japanese side has failed to thoroughly reflect on its history of aggression. Some forces in the country even attempted to gloss over and whitewash the crimes committed during the aggression, and push for accelerated remilitarization of Japan, which led to the rampant and dangerous spread of neo-militarism in the country and threatened regional peace and stability. The international community needs to be on high alert against this.
Preventing the resurrection of militarism is Japan’s due obligation and the strong will of the international community, including China. We urge the Japanese side to learn lessons from history, fulfill its international obligations and stick to the path of peaceful development.
Reuters:
The U.S. has seized an Iranian cargo ship that was
traveling from China. Today, Iran is about to
retaliate to what it says, to quote them, “armed
piracy” by the U.S. Iran has also said it would not
participate in the second round of negotiations as the
ceasefire between Tehran and Washington expires
tomorrow. The question is, does China have any remarks
on the seized ship? What was it carrying? Also, does
China have any comment about the ceasefire that seems
to be breaking down?
Guo Jiakun: On your first question, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is fragile and complex. We are concerned over the U.S.’s forcible interception of the vessel and hope that relevant parties will honor the ceasefire agreement in a responsible manner, avoid aggravating disputes and escalating tensions, and provide necessary conditions for the restoration of normal passage through the Strait.
On your second question, the current regional situation is at a critical stage of whether the conflict could end or not. Now that the window for peace has been opened, favorable conditions need to be created to end the conflict at an early date. China supports relevant sides to maintain the momentum of ceasefire and negotiation, act on the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposition, continue to promote deescalation and play a constructive role for bringing lasting peace and stability to the Middle East.
China-Arab
TV: Recently, the Iranian forces fired on
Indian-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz,
raising concerns about maritime security. How does
China view this escalation? What measures is China
considering to safeguard its shipping and energy
interest in the Strait?
Guo Jiakun: I just stated China’s position on the Strait of Hormuz. Let me stress that the Strait of Hormuz is a strait for international passage. Ensuring unimpeded passage through the Strait serves the common interest of regional countries and the international community. China hopes that all sides will jointly prevent the situation from worsening. China stands ready to work with the international community to continue making its due contributions for deescalation.
AFP:
Thousands of American and Philippine troops began
annual military exercises today in the Philippines.
And the drill will include about 10,000 U.S. service
members. Japanese forces will also take part in the
exercises. These drills come amid tensions between the
Philippines and China and between Japan and China.
What’s China’s position on this annual military
exercises?
Guo Jiakun: The world has seen enough damage done by unilateralism and abuse of military might. What the Asia-Pacific needs most is peace and tranquility, and the last thing the region needs is division and confrontation as a result of the introduction of external forces. No military and security cooperation should be conducted at the expense of mutual understanding and trust as well as peace and stability in the region. Such cooperation should not target any third party or harm the interests of any third party. For countries that tie their own security to others, it is important to bear in mind that this may very well backfire.
PTI:
You’ve already expressed your concern about U.S.
forces’ shooting at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
But again, there was a question about the Iranian
guards fired at the Indian ships, transiting the same
route. There is also a wider issue that the top
Iranian commander told reporters that Iran would like
to retain its what you call the hold over the Strait
of Hormuz and they will not give up. So they will keep
the control. How China looks at it because it being an
international waterway. So it causes not simply for
China, the issues, but for the rest of the world. How
do you comment especially also on the Iranian fighting
on the Indian ships?
Guo Jiakun: I just answered a related question. The Strait of Hormuz is a strait for international passage. Keeping the area safe and stable and ensuring unimpeded passage serves the common interest of regional countries and the international community. We hope relevant parties will act responsibly and adhere to the ceasefire agreement, avoid exacerbating confrontation or worsening tensions, and create the necessary conditions for the resumption of normal traffic at the Strait.
China-Arab
TV: The 2026 Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon featuring
humanoid robots was held yesterday and attracted many
foreign journalists who were amazed by and spoke
highly of the development in the robot area. What’s
your comment?
Guo Jiakun: I believe many of you have also run stories about the humanoid robot race. Thanks to your coverage, the race attracted extensive attention. Compared with last year, humanoid robots participating in this year’s race show significant technological progress, which is yet another example of China’s development in sci-tech innovation and new quality productive forces.
In the field of AI, we advocate open and inclusive development of AI for good and for all. The Chinese side will stay committed to international cooperation, enable common development with the outcomes of sci-tech innovation and deliver benefit to people from all countries.
Reuters:
I early had a question about the annual Balikatan
military drills, but I will just add on another
question to that. Last week, Japan’s destroyer, the
Ikazuchi, which sailed through the Taiwan Strait was
heading to these drills. I was just wondering, given
that destroyer went through the Taiwan Strait. Does
China have any other comment to add regarding Japan’s
active participation in this year’s drills?
Guo Jiakun: The Chinese side has made clear its solemn position regarding the transit of a vessel of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces through the Taiwan Strait. As to your question, we need to stress that Japan bears grave historical responsibilities for Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, due to its aggression and colonial rule during WWII of these countries. Japan needs to seriously reflect on its history of aggression, and exercise prudence both in words and actions in military and security areas, rather than flexing muscles in the South China Sea and undermining stability in the region.
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