China backs Pak's NSG bid, but says must also acquire 'crucial' NPT status

As the ninth Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference concluded, China has gone on record to say that while it backed Pakistan's bid to gain access to the Nuclear Supplier's Group (NSG), its inking of the NPT was "crucial."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said the international community had a "long-standing" consensus on the issue, which was reaffirmed at the recent NPT review conference, that it was crucial for a state to sign the NPT in order to become a member of the NSG, reports The Express Tribune.

However, since there were countries, in addition to Pakistan, with no NPT status, who wanted to gain NSG membership, Chunying said Beijing wanted member states to take the matter up in light of relevant rules and take a decision by consensus.