Published : 2025-07-30
On July 30, 1996, the Chinese government announced the suspension of nuclear testing effective immediately.
The statement pointed out that China made this important decision not only to respond to the demands of many non-nuclear countries but also as a practical action to promote nuclear disarmament.
The statement mentioned that since its first nuclear test on October 16, 1964, after more than 30 years of effort, China had established a streamlined and effective nuclear self-defence force.
The statement said that China adheres to an independent and peaceful foreign policy and has consistently advocated for a comprehensive ban and complete elimination of nuclear weapons.
China's development of nuclear weapons was an unavoidable decision made under specific historical conditions.
For more than 100 years in modern history, the Chinese nation experienced significant suffering and multiple invasions and devastation by foreign countries, enduring the disasters of war. Even after the founding of New China, it still faced threats of war, including nuclear threats.
For survival and development, China had no choice. China's development and possession of a small number of nuclear weapons is not to threaten others but purely out of defensive needs, for self-defence, to safeguard the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the country, and to protect the peaceful and tranquil life of its people.
The statement also emphasised that since the first day of possessing nuclear weapons, China has solemnly declared that it would not be the first to use nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
China has also unconditionally committed not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon zones.
At the same time, China made five major appeals to nuclear-weapon states in the statement:
1. Nuclear powers should abandon their policies of authority and deterrence, and countries with large nuclear arsenals should continue to significantly reduce their nuclear weapons.
2. All nuclear-weapon states should undertake the obligation not to be the first to use nuclear weapons under any circumstances and should unconditionally promise not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon zones, and conclude an international legal instrument to this effect as soon as possible.
3. All countries deploying nuclear weapons abroad should withdraw all these weapons back to their own countries. All nuclear-weapon states should commit to supporting the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, respect the status of such zones, and undertake corresponding obligations.
4. All countries should refrain from developing or deploying outer space weapons systems and missile defence systems that undermine strategic security and stability.
5. All countries should negotiate to conclude an international treaty on the comprehensive prohibition and complete elimination of nuclear weapons.
