No first use initiative significant peace move

On Monday, China submitted a working paper on its "No first use of Nuclear Weapons Initiative" to the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons that opened in Geneva on Monday and runs to Aug 2.

China encourages the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to negotiate and conclude a treaty, agreeing to no first use of nuclear weapons, or to issue a political statement in this regard. This treaty will be conducive to international peace and security and set a positive example for other states, thus helping to create a favorable international environment for further progress in arms control and disarmament.

In the draft elements it presented as a basis for deliberation, China called on the other four parties to realize that nuclear war would have devastating consequences for all humanity and thus must never be fought, and they should be mindful of the primary responsibilities of the permanent members of the UNSC for the maintenance of world peace and security. It urged them to fully honor their commitment to work for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of all types of weapons of mass destruction.