Press Conference with Foreign Ministry Spokesperson on Developments in Iran’s Nuclear Program (Excerpts)

June 3, 2003

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Q: What is the stand of China towards the development of nuclear weapons in Iran? Has President Hu Jintao mentioned this issue during his meeting with President Bush?

A: As for the meeting between President Hu and President Bush and the specific issues discussed during their meeting, the spokesperson of the Chinese delegation has given the details. Concerning the Iran's nuclear issue as you mentioned, our stand is that it is the consensus of the international community to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Iran is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). It undertakes not to develop weapons of mass destruction. We have taken note that Iran has clearly denied the development or possession of weapons of mass destruction. Therefore, any doubts and questions on this issue should be settled by the relevant organizations through negotiations, consultations and dialogue between the countries concerned. The non-proliferation should not hinder the peaceful use of the relevant technology.

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