The Cold War mentality must be eradicated before nuclear weapons can be totally eliminated, said Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN).

“The total elimination of nuclear weapons must begin with the total elimination of the Cold War mentality. With such a mentality, the world cannot achieve true nuclear disarmament and will not benefit from peace and peace. real tranquility, ”Geng said at a high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly on Tuesday to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

Geng pointed out that in recent years, some countries have been sticking to a Cold War mentality, seeking absolute military superiority, pursuing an offensive nuclear policy, rejecting responsibility for nuclear disarmament, being obsessed with forming small circles closed and exclusive and leaning on causing conflict and confrontation.

“Quite recently, a few countries openly announced cooperation in the field of nuclear submarines, which will entail serious risks of nuclear proliferation,” the envoy said.

“Such a practice intensifies regional tensions, stimulates the arms race, undermines international nuclear non-proliferation efforts and runs counter to the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons as well as the aspirations of countries to the region to peace and development.

Geng recalled that a week ago a country declared in the United Nations General Assembly Hall that it was not seeking a new cold war and that it did not intend to create the division.

“We hope that this public statement made to the whole world will be put into practice,” he said. “We hope that the country concerned will reject the obsolete zero-sum mentality of the Cold War era and narrow geopolitical concepts and make concrete efforts to maintain global strategic balance and stability and maintain regional peace and security. . ”

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The envoy pointed out that from the very first day it came into possession of nuclear weapons, China has advocated the complete ban and complete destruction of nuclear weapons.

“China has declared that it will not be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstance, and has unconditionally committed not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states. nuclear weapons or nuclear-weapon-free zones. ,” he said.

“China never seeks to compete with a country in terms of scale or quantity of nuclear weapons, and it will not enter a nuclear arms race with any country. the minimum level required for national security, ”he continued.

“China supports building a nuclear-weapon-free world, supports the Non-Aligned Movement in promoting the nuclear disarmament program, and supports the General Assembly in holding this meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the total elimination of nuclear weapons.