China on Monday called on the international community to step up efforts to reinvigorate the global arms control and disarmament process.

Wang Qun, head of the Chinese delegation and ambassador for disarmament affairs in Geneva, made the call at the general debate of the First Committee of the 63rd Session of the UN General Assembly.

"Although most states express their readiness to promote the international arms control and disarmament process, consensus remains elusive on the ways and means to achieve it," he said.

Efforts should be made to enhance international security and reinvigorate the international arms control and disarmament process, Wang said.

"China unswervingly pursues a path of peaceful development and an independent foreign policy of peace and a national defence policy which is purely defensive in nature," he said. "China is the participant and the constructor in the international regime, a vindicator and promoter of the international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation process."

China has never evaded its due responsibilities and obligations in international security and the multilateral arms control process and has made its own contributions to it for years, he stressed.

On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Wang said China has been consistently dedicated to realizing denuclearization of the Korea Peninsula and maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia as a whole.

With the joint efforts of all parties involved, some fresh progress has been made at the six-party talks while some difficulties remain, he said, adding that China will continue its close coordination and cooperation with other parties concerned in efforts to achieve new progress and maintain peace, security and stability of the peninsula and Northeast Asia.

On the Iranian nuclear issue, Wang said China always stands for peaceful resolution through political and diplomatic means, and has been actively participating in relevant diplomatic efforts.

"As the Iranian nuclear issue is now at a critical juncture, all the parties involved should exercise more patience, step up diplomatic efforts and continue the dialogue and negotiations so as to seek a comprehensive, long-term and appropriate solution," Wang noted. "China will continue to play a constructive role in this regard."

(Xinhua News Agency October 7, 2008)