China welcomes the agreement reached by the five Central Asian countries on a Central Asia nuclear weapons free zone treaty, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman here on Tuesday.

Qin Gang, the spokesman, said China speaks highly of the efforts of the five Central Asian countries to establish a nuclear weapons free zone based on voluntary consultation.

Qin made the remarks at a regular press conference when asked to comment on the news that the five Central Asian countries will sign the treaty in Kazakhstan on September 8.

He said to establish a nuclear weapons free zone is conducive to preventing nuclear proliferation and promoting the process of nuclear disarmament and peace, security and stability in related regions.

Qin noted that China and the five Central Asian countries share traditional friendly and cooperative relations and always understand and support each other on international and regional issues.

Source: Xinhua