NPT status 'crucial': China backs Pakistan on NSG membership

China believes NSG member states must take decision by consensus on allowing non-NPT states into the group

BEIJING: As the ninth Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference concluded, China said that while it supports Pakistan gaining access to the Nuclear Supplier's Group (NSG), signing the treaty was 'crucial'.

Responding to a question, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Wednesday that the international community had a long-standing consensus regarding NPT being the cornerstone of the NSG.

"The recently concluded Ninth NPT Review Conference has reaffirmed this consensus. On account of this, the NSG has so far regarded the status of the NPT state as a crucial standard to accept new member state," Hua said.

However, given that there were other countries in addition to Pakistan with no NPT status, but with aspirations for NSG membership, Hua said China wanted NSG member states to thoroughly discuss the matter in light of relevant rules and take a decision by consensus.

"This raises an issue to the international community, that is whether non-NPT states are in the position to join the NSG."

On Pakistan’s aspirations for NSG membership, Hua said that China had noted its ally's efforts towards mainstreaming into the global non-proliferation regime.

"We support Pakistan's engagement with the NSG, and hope such efforts could be conducive to the authority and effectiveness of international non-proliferation regime," she said.

"We wish to strengthen communication and coordination with Pakistan," she said.

This article originally appeared on People's Daily