The Foreign Ministry said yesterday that for a foreign country to provide authorities of the province of Taiwan with help in missile defense systems would be unwelcome.

"China opposes any attempt to provide support or help to Taiwan with missile defense systems," said Zhang Yan, director of the ministry's Arms Control and Disarmament Department at a press conference hosted by the State Council's Information Office.

Taiwan is an integral and indispensable part of China and no country should include Taiwan in its missile defense system because it concerns China's core interests, he said.

Zhang said such a system would impact on international stability and state-to-state relations, and trigger proliferation of missile technology.

He said the Taiwan issue is purely an internal affair and peaceful reunification is a set policy of China.

On Thursday, a white paper was issued entitled China's Endeavors for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation.

"The government has solemnly declared that it would not be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time and in any circumstance," said Zhang, citing the policy paper.

He said that China has committed unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon countries or in nuclear-weapon-free zones.

Zhang said China has signed bilateral agreements with a dozen countries on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, noting that such cooperation aimed to serve China's increasing energy demand.

In addition, he said, China has played a constructive role in regional nuclear issues and made active efforts towards dialogue and reconciliation over nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula and in Iran.

Zhang said China has set an example to other countries, and has joined almost all international treaties and international groups with regard to nuclear, biological, chemical and conventional weapons.

An export control mechanism has also been established and improved, he said.

(China Daily September 2, 2005)