BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- 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.
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