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China supports IAEA stand on Iran`s nuclear issue
Beijing, June 19: China today said it supported the International Atomic Energy Agency`s move to enhance the additional protocol of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and the UN agency`s efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Beijing, June 19: China today said it supported the International Atomic Energy Agency's move to enhance the additional protocol of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and the UN agency's efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
"The Chinese government supports International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) efforts in enhancing additional protocol of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT)," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said stating Beijing's stand on the Iran's suspected nuclear weapons programme.
"China's stand on the nuclear issue is clear and consistent. We are opposed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons," he said.
Liu said China has already signed the treaty in December 1998 and completed the domestic legal procedures its ratification.
"China is among the first among the five nuclear states to ratify this additional protocol. We hope that other countries can sign this treaty and the additional protocol at an early date," he said.
"We also believe that this should not hamper the peaceful use of nuclear power. We hope to see some clarity on these reports at an early date," the spokesman added.
The United States has accused Iran of pursuing an aggressive nuclear weapons programme, while Tehran has repeatedly maintained that the Bushehr nuclear power plant was built only for civilian purposes.
Bureau Report
"China's stand on the nuclear issue is clear and consistent. We are opposed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons," he said.
Liu said China has already signed the treaty in December 1998 and completed the domestic legal procedures its ratification.
"China is among the first among the five nuclear states to ratify this additional protocol. We hope that other countries can sign this treaty and the additional protocol at an early date," he said.
"We also believe that this should not hamper the peaceful use of nuclear power. We hope to see some clarity on these reports at an early date," the spokesman added.
The United States has accused Iran of pursuing an aggressive nuclear weapons programme, while Tehran has repeatedly maintained that the Bushehr nuclear power plant was built only for civilian purposes.
Bureau Report