The 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum is underway. The forum gathers leading experts and top defense officials to share their insights on global security and development. The former vice president of the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Sciences says China firmly opposes nuclear war and nuclear proliferation. In an interview with CGTN, Lieutenant General He Lei also said China is making active efforts to promote world peace. 

ZHAO YUNFEI, CGTN Reporter "In July this year, China proposed the no-first-use of nuclear weapons initiative. What do you think of the nuclear threat in the world today?"

LT. GEN. HE LEI, PLA Academy of Military Sciences "My understanding of China's basic attitudes towards nuclear war and nuclear weapons: First, we firmly oppose nuclear war and nuclear proliferation, because nuclear weapons and nuclear wars bring long-term disasters to mankind. Second, China has never been afraid of nuclear war. What is the purpose of China's development of nuclear weapons? It is to resolutely defend national security, break the nuclear monopoly, and effectively implement nuclear counterattacks. Our Academy of Military Sciences is engaged in military language. I can tell you that in the actions of China's nuclear forces, there is only the term "nuclear counterattack", but no "nuclear attack."

ZHAO YUNFEI, CGTN Reporter "Looking at the current situation in the world, conflicts continue, especially the Palestine-Israel conflict and the Ukraine crisis. Of course, this reflects the struggles of various parties. In the face of humanitarian crises, what should we do to promote a ceasefire?"

LT. GEN. HE LEI, PLA Academy of Military Sciences "China has done a lot of effective work to ease these two conflicts. I think that China's attitude has several aspects. First, we do not want war and insist on resolving conflicts and disputes between countries through peaceful negotiations. Second, the sovereignty of all parties in the conflict should be respected and their security should be guaranteed. We should insist on common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. Third, we should pursue peace and promote talks. China has done a lot of work in this regard. We should adhere to the three principles of cooling down the situation, namely, no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no provocation by any party."