BEIJING, Sept. 2 -- No country should include Taiwan in its missile defence system because the question of Taiwan involves China's core interests.

    Also, such a system will impact on international stability and state-to-state relations, and trigger proliferation of missile technology, said Zhang Yan, director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Department of the Foreign Ministry.

    "China opposes any attempt to provide support or help to Taiwan with missile defence systems," said Zhang yesterday at a press conference hosted by the State Council's Information Office.

    The office yesterday released a white paper entitled "China's Endeavours for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation," which elaborates on China's policy in this field.

    Zhang said China always stands for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons.

    "The Chinese Government has solemnly declared that it would not be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time and in any circumstance," said Zhang, citing the policy paper.

    He said that China has committed unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon countries or nuclear-weapon-free zones.

    The paper said China closed down a nuclear weapons research and development base in its northwestern Qinghai Province in the 1990s.

    The country is talking with Australia about co-operation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Earlier reports said the talks cover safeguards for the sale of Australian uranium to China.

    China has signed bilateral agreements with a dozen of countries on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, according to Zhang, noting that such co-operation aims to serve China's increasing energy demand.

    On the upcoming fourth round of the Six-Party Talks on the nuclear issues on Korean Peninsula, Zhang said that China is urging relevant parties to show flexibility so as to reach an agreement acceptable to all parties at an early date. Specific time for the new talks has not been decided yet, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said yesterday.

    Zhang said that if the Democratic People's Republic of Korea joins the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, it should enjoy the right of peacefully developing nuclear energy.

    China has played a constructive role in regional nuclear issues and made active efforts towards dialogue and reconciliation for the proper settlement of the nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula and in Iran through political and diplomatic means, he added.

    The country has joined almost all international treaties and relevant international organizations in regard to nuclear, biological, chemical and conventional weapons, according to Zhang. China has also established and improved its export control mechanism. Enditem

(Source: China Daily)