China plays bigger role in proliferation control

China's modernization drive has made great progress in the past 30 years of reform and opening up. This is evident particularly in the economic buildup, as its foreign trade has grown to make it one of the world's largest in terms of both imports and exports. Meanwhile, its diplomatic and defense initiatives have been advancing as well, helping the nation to enhance its security and its image on the international stage.

There is an important area where foreign trade meets security. It is called proliferation control, which aims to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and their delivery systems such as missiles.

The international community attaches great importance to the prevention of the proliferation of WMD and related dual-use technology and materials. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed a resolution after the Cold War confirming the proliferation of WMD threatens world peace and stability. It was on the strength of this resolution that the UN denied Iraq the right to develop nuclear arms. Preventing WMD proliferation is also a core component of security cooperation among major powers of the world today.