After the founding of new China, it was still subjected to the threat of war, including that of nuclear weapons. In order to survive and develop, China was left with no other alternative. Our development of a limited nuclear capacity is not aimed at threatening other people, but is solely for self defence with a view to maintaining independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ensuring a peaceful life of the people. Moreover, our development of nuclear weapons is to safeguard world peace, counter nuclear blackmail and nuclear threat, prevent nuclear war and ultimately destroy all nuclear weapons. Since the very first day when China came into possession of nuclear weapons, China has solemnly declared that at no time and under no circumstances will it be the first to use nuclear weapons.
China is the only nuclear state in the world that has made and abided by such commitments.
China has never deployed nuclear weapons outside its border, nor has it ever used or threatened to us nuclear weapons against other countries. China is a peace loving country and an important force for the maintenance of world peace and stability. China is in favour of reaching a comprehensive ban on nuclear weapon test explosions in the process towards the objective of complete nuclear disarmament. China is ready to work with other members of the international community to this end. Halting nuclear tests is an important step towards nuclear disarmament.