Working paper on no-first-use of weapons policy calls on nations to match commitment to peace

China has submitted a working paper on its No-first-use of Nuclear Weapons Initiative, in a move that is seen as contributing to the enhancement of global strategic stability and the realization of lasting peace and security for all.

The working paper stresses that each country with nuclear weapons should not be the first to use such weapons against another state at any time and under any circumstances, according to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of China.

The adoption of the no-first-use policy or a declaration of no-first-use of nuclear weapons by nuclear-weapon states is a practical step to implement Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), reduce the role of nuclear weapons in national security doctrines, and promote the objective of nuclear disarmament, according to a statement on the MFA website.

The MFA statement says China calls on all NPT states parties to positively respond to and support this proposition, and looks forward to thorough discussions on this issue during the 2026 NPT Review Conference and its preparatory committee meetings, aimed at achieving

tangible results that could be incorporated into the outcome documents.

China’s adherence to the no-first-use policy is rooted in its understanding of the nature of nuclear weapons and nuclear war. Recognizing that a nuclear war has no ultimate victor and only brings devastating consequences to humanity, China’s development of nuclear weapons was not to threaten other countries, but to safeguard its national security and contribute to global peace and stability.

China has consistently advocated for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, a shared aspiration of all countries. Facing a complex and severe international security situation, President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed that nuclear weapons cannot be used and nuclear war must not be fought.

In 2017, Xi made this clear in his speech at the United Nations Office in Geneva. “Nuclear weapons, the Sword of Damocles that hangs over humankind, should be completely prohibited and ultimately destroyed over time to make the world free of nuclear weapons,” he said.

In January 2022, the leaders of the five nuclear-weapon states released the “Joint Statement of the Leaders of the Five Nuclear-Weapon States on Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races”. The leaders affirmed that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought, reiterating that none of their weapons are targeted at each other or any other state.

China’s commitment to nuclear disarmament dates back to 1964 when it successfully detonated its first atomic bomb.

Immediately, China made a solemn declaration to the world, pledging not to be the first to use nuclear weapons under any circumstances and committing not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states or nuclear-weapon-free zones.

In 1994, China went a step further by submitting the “Draft Treaty on No-First- Use of Nuclear Weapons” to the other four nuclear-weapon states, urging them to adopt a similar policy on a bilateral or multilateral basis.

The no-first-use policy is gaining momentum as an important consensus and priority in the field of international arms control.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has publicly called for the no-first-use of nuclear weapons, and various regional organizations — such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the African Union, and the New Agenda Coalition — have also urged nuclear-weapon states to adopt a no-first-use policy.

In light of these developments, China encourages the five nuclear-weapon states to negotiate and conclude a treaty on the “mutual no-first-use of nuclear weapons” or issue a political statement in this regard.

Draft elements for deliberation

(a) We are convinced that nuclear war would have devastating consequences for all humanity and thus must never be fought, mindful of the primary responsibilities of the permanent members of the UN Security Council for the maintenance of world peace and security including the prevention of nuclear war, reiterating our commitment to work for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of all types of weapons of mass destruction, believing that this Treaty will be conducive to international peace and security, thus can help create a favorable international environment for further progress in arms control and disarmament,

(b) Each State Party undertakes not to be the first to use nuclear weapons against another State Party at any time and under any circumstances. Each State Party undertakes to support the early conclusion of a treaty on not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon States or nuclear-weapon-free zones.

(c) Each State Party shall in exercising its national sovereignty have the right to withdraw from the Treaty if it decides that extraordinary events, related to the subject matter of this Treaty, have jeopardized the supreme interests of its country.

(d) This Treaty shall be of unlimited duration. And the articles of this Treaty shall not be subject to any reservation.

Source: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs