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China Urges Major Countries to Withdraw Nuclear Weapons Overseas. PHOTO/Reuters
ANKARA – China have asked the major powers to withdraw nuclear weapons stationed abroad and canceling related agreements with host countries to reduce the risk of nuclear war.
Speaking at the United Nations Security Council briefing on “Threats to International Peace and Security” on Friday (31/3/2023), China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang said, nuclear weapons are the swords of Damocles hanging over their heads.
“We call for the abolition of nuclear-sharing arrangements and advocate no overseas deployment of nuclear weapons by all nuclear-weapon states and withdrawal of nuclear weapons deployed on ships,” Geng said, according to a transcript posted on China’s UN mission website, as quoted from Anadolu Agency.
Geng added that his country is firmly committed to its nuclear defense strategy and has upheld its promise of “not using nuclear weapons first” at any time and under any circumstances.
Regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Chinese envoy urged the international community to play its role in promoting peace talks and creating conditions for an early resumption of negotiations, as this is the only way to resolve the issue.
“All parties must remain rational and restrained, avoid escalating tensions, intensifying friction, or fanning fires, stop all actions that contribute to prolonging war, and prevent the crisis from escalating or even spiraling out of control,” he added.
Geng assured the UN Security Council that Beijing will continue to play a constructive role in seeking a ceasefire and restoring peace to the region.
(esn)
