BEIJING: Cold War mentality must be eradicated before nuclear weapons can be totally eliminated, Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), has said.
“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 real nuclear disarmament and will not enjoy real peace and tranquility,” Geng told 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 highlighted the fact that in recent years, some individual countries have been sticking to a Cold War mentality, seeking absolute military superiority, pursuing an offensive nuclear policy, shunning responsibility for nuclear disarmament, being obsessed with forming closed and exclusive small circles and bending on provoking conflicts and confrontation.
“Just recently, a couple of countries blatantly announced cooperation in nuclear submarines, which will result in serious nuclear proliferation risks,” the envoy pointed out.
“Such practice heightens regional tensions, stimulates the arms race, undermines international efforts in nuclear non-proliferation, and runs counter to the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons as well as the aspiration of regional countries for peace and development.”
Geng recalled that a week ago, a country stated in the UN General Assembly Hall that it does not seek a new Cold War, and has no intention of creating division.
“We hope that this public pronouncement made before the whole world will be shown in action,” he said. “We hope that the relevant country will discard the outdated zero-sum mentality of the Cold War era and narrow-minded geopolitical concepts and make concrete efforts to maintain global strategic balance and stability and uphold regional peace and security.”
The envoy emphasized that since the very first day when it came into possession of nuclear weapons, China has been advocating the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons.
–The Daily Mail-CGTN
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