China and the United States on Tuesday underlined in a joint statement their commitment to the eventual realization of a world free of nuclear weapons.

They also reiterated their opposition to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the statement issued after talks between Chinese President Hu Jintao and visiting US President Barack Obama.

The two sides will jointly uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and agreed to enhance non-proliferation cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and equality, the statement said.

They promised to work together for a successful Review Conference of Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 2010, and committed to pursue ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) as soon as possible.

The joint statement said the two countries stand ready to strengthen communication and cooperation in nuclear safety and security and in combating nuclear terrorism.

China attaches importance to the US initiative to hold a nuclear security summit in April 2010 and will actively participate in the preparations for the summit, according to the joint statement.

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2009)