China says further discussion needed on NPT non-signatories' application to NSG

China said Sunday further discussion is needed to decide on the application of non-signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) for membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

China has always supported a full discussion within the NSG on the membership issue and a decision based on the consensus of all sides through consultation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said.

Hong made the remarks in response to a report saying China, New Zealand, Ireland, Turkey, South Africa and Austria opposed India's inclusion in the NSG, which controls the export and re-transfer of nuclear weapons materials.

The NSG has taken NPT signatory status as a precondition for membership but India is not a signatory to the treaty.

"China's stance is applicable to all non-signatories to the NPT, not just certain countries. Many other NSG member states also hold the same stance," Hong added in a press release.

Hong also denied discussion on India and other NPT non-signatories' admission to the NSG at an unofficial meeting held Thursday.

The meeting, summoned by the Argentine ambassador who holds the NSG rotating chairmanship, did not discuss any topic related to that, Hong said.

According to Hong, the chairman said the meeting, which was held without an agenda, was aimed to hear all parties' opinions on the external communication of the NSG to prepare for his report to the annual meeting to be held in Seoul of the Republic of Korea later this month.

Hong acknowledged disputes within NSG member states on the admission of the NPT non-signatories.

"China supports further discussions by the NSG to try to form a consensus at an early date. China will also play a constructive role in this process," Hong said. Endi