World powers discuss global nuclear governance in Beijing

BEIJING -- A meeting of five nuclear powers opened on Monday in Beijing to discuss ways of enhancing global nuclear governance.

Li Baodong, China's Vice Foreign Minister, said nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy are three major pillars in the nuclear field.

"Properly harmonizing relations among these pillars and enhancing global governance is in the common interests of the international community and, therefore, the shared objective of the P5 states," Li said in his opening remarks.

The P5 states are China, the United States, Russia, Britain and France.

Li stressed that universal security is the fundamental goal of global nuclear governance.

He also emphasized that the leadership role of the P5 states is a major driving force for global nuclear governance.

"Like five fingers of a hand, the P5 states can make a powerful fist only by deepening strategic mutual trust, unity and collaboration," Li said.

"In this way, we will be able to effectively deal with problems in the nuclear field and guide global nuclear governance in the right direction," he added.

The vice foreign minister said a multilateral mechanism, balanced progress and consensus are key to global nuclear governance.

Broad participation is a "critical" guarantee, Li said.

"Not only should governments actively participate in this process, but the initiative of international and regional organizations, NGOs and civil society should also be mobilized to maximize our synergy," he said.

China is committed to complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons and has firmly pursued a nuclear strategy of self-defense, strictly honored its non-proliferation obligations, actively participated in international cooperation on peaceful use of nuclear energy, and worked to promote global nuclear governance, Li said.

The five nuclear powers have taken turns to host five conferences since 2009.