China’s policies & practices across three pillars of NPT

THE 11th NPT Review Conference has once again underscored the critical importance of national reports, with China’s submission standing out as a particularly systematic and transparent articulation of national policy across the treaty’s three core pillars: disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful use. Far from a routine diplomatic exercise, China’s report offers pragmatic, actionable solutions to the grave challenges confronting global nuclear arms control, thereby reinforcing strategic stability through demonstrable high transparency. China’s report reaffirms its self-defensive nuclear strategy and unwavering commitment to a “no first use” (NFU) policy a pledge unique among the five nuclear-weapon states (N5). Furthermore, China reiterates its legally binding security assurances, undertaking not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones. This vividly reflects a conception of international responsibility rooted in restraint. Analytically, China maintains its nuclear force at the minimum level required for national security, never participates in any form of nuclear arms race and has neither deployed nuclear weapons on foreign soil nor extended a “nuclear umbrella” to any other state. To build strategic mutual trust, China employs a distinctive toolkit: publishing white papers, notifying relevant activities in advance, opening decommissioned nuclear facilities to international inspection and engaging in dialogue with other nuclear-weapon states. In this context, Western allegations of clandestine nuclear testing are rendered baseless by the factual clarifications in the report. Comparative studies show that while non-proliferation is the NPT’s core objective, implementation varies widely. China has constructed a formidable line of defense through rigorous rule of law and strict oversight. It has introduced numerous legislative measures, establishing a comprehensive non-proliferation legal system led by