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 export control regulations. Notably, China strictly adheres to the three principles for nuclear exports: ensuring peaceful use, accepting IAEA safeguards and exercising restraint in transfers.
China was the first nuclear-weapon state to bring the Additional Protocol to its Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA into force, with 30 Chinese nuclear facilities currently under agency safeguards a clear demonstration of transparency and accessibility unparalleled among its peers.
China champions openness, sharing and win-win cooperation to promote inclusive nuclear energy development. As the second-largest contributor to the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Fund, China has donated approximately $130 million and established multiple international cooperation centers to train nuclear talent for developing countries. It has also opened 12 nuclear research facilities and experimental platforms to the world, signing intergovernmental cooperation agreements on peaceful nuclear energy with more than 30 countries and regions. Crucially, China firmly opposes the politicization or weaponization of peaceful nuclear energy use, rejects sanctions and “decoupling” that hinder international cooperation and has driven UN resolutions protecting the developmental rights of the Global South. This positions China as a normative actor challenging the traditional technology-access hierarchies.
China’s national report serves as a standardization benchmark for the international nuclear order reaffirming multilateralism, rule-based compliance and resisting dangerous practices such as “friendly proliferation” or nuclear sharing arrangements. Critical analysis confirms that China’s restrained, stable policies regarding the development, use and control of nuclear weapons act as an anchor in a turbulent global landscape, advancing the N5 consensus that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought,” thereby cooling global conflict risks.
Through a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, China provides a roadmap for global cooperation addressing not only nuclear risks but also interconnected challenges like food security and public health. Thus, China remains a steadfast defender, active builder and vital contributor to the NPT regime. Undoubtedly, China’s nuclear sector is experiencing significant growth. It continues advancing its traditional nuclear power program while pioneering new technologies, notably small modular reactors (SMRs). China operates the world’s first commercial onshore SMR a development with enormous promise for both domestic use and deployment in developing countries lacking large grid infrastructure.
Nuclear security remains an indispensable element of China’s nuclear energy strategy, especially as the country is projected to operate over 100 nuclear power units soon. The Chinese nuclear regulator and the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) maintain close cooperation with the IAEA, actively participating in international meetings and ongoing updates to safety and security standards. China’s large nuclear corporations are not only expanding into international markets but are becoming industry leaders. Through initiatives like the Global Development Initiative (GDI), China is actively reaching out to Global South countries, positioning nuclear technology as a key cooperation area. We can expect significantly more activity from China’s nuclear sector in international markets. A particularly forward-looking synergy is the natural match between AI and nuclear energy. AI data centers require stable, uninterrupted power exactly what nuclear energy provides. With modularity, a single SMR can serve a data center, a small town or provide desalination and district heating, making nuclear power a cornerstone of sustainable digital infrastructure.
In summary, China’s strong safety, security and legislative measures across nuclear energy, weapons and civilian applications confirm its steadfastness, active participation and valuable contribution to the NPT. As the NPT review process faces daunting challenges including erosion of disarmament commitments, geopolitical rivalries and emerging technologies the writer suggests that the international community must abandon Cold War mentalities and double standards to return to multilateral cooperation. Countries with the largest nuclear arsenals bear special and primary responsibility to substantively advance disarmament. Looking ahead, China will hopefully continue to work with all nations to uphold non-proliferation norms, promote peaceful nuclear energy use and make unremitting efforts toward global strategic stability and a world free of nuclear weapons. In doing so, China’s report is not merely a national statement but a model of responsible nuclear stewardship in a multipolar age.
—The writer is President, the Centre for Knowledge and Public Policy, Regional Expert: China, CPEC, BRI & World Affairs.
