At the second rebuttal speech during the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Chinese delegation pointed out that since the Kishida administration took office, Japan's nuclear weapons issue has become a real rather than potential threat, posing a serious challenge to the post-World War II international order and the nuclear non-proliferation regime.
The Chinese delegation stated that Japan is an internationally recognized nuclear threshold state and the only non-nuclear-weapon state among the parties to the NPT possessing reprocessing technology, the capability to extract weapons-grade plutonium, and operational reprocessing facilities. The international community must remain highly vigilant against the following negative trends: First, officials at the Prime Minister's Office have openly declared that "Japan should possess nuclear weapons," while right-wing forces are seeking to revise the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," constantly testing the international response as preparation for policy shifts. Second, Japan has long stockpiled plutonium far exceeding its civilian needs, with the total amount of separated plutonium held domestically and abroad reaching approximately 44.4 tons. Japan possesses the technological capacity to develop nuclear weapons and could achieve a nuclear breakout in a short period. Third, Japan’s stance on nuclear non-proliferation is contradictory. On one hand, it has long portrayed itself internationally as a "victim of nuclear bombings" and claimed to be a supporter of a nuclear-free world, misleading the public; on the other hand, it continuously strengthens cooperation on extended deterrence with its allies, urgently seeking to replicate nuclear sharing arrangements and bring allied nuclear weapons into Japan.
The Chinese delegation said that China has submitted a working paper on Japan's nuclear weapons issue and welcomes thorough consideration by all parties. China believes that this review conference must conduct in-depth discussions on these issues and effectively strengthen verification and oversight of Japan's nuclear activities.
Source | Xinhua News Agency
Original: toutiao.com/article/7634424848575513142/
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