A Chinese scholar on international studies said in Beijing Tuesday that the nuclear non-proliferation regime is facing risks, posing a threat to people of the world.

The shadow of global nuclear proliferation is expanding as two major nuclear crises, the Iranian and Korean nuclear issues, are not settled but getting worse, said Wang Yizhou, a researcher with Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The international community has found it difficult to deal with the nuclear crises, and even the United States is having a "headache" about them, Wang said.

"But the two nuclear issues are only a tip of iceberg as about 40 more countries in the world are reported to be preparing for nuclear development," he said.

On the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Wang said more and more scholars, media and officials began to discuss it publicly, and this is a positive change as public involvement could help to solve the issue.

Wang Yizhou made the remarks when addressing the Foreign Affairs College Forum on 2006 international situation and China's diplomacy. The forum will be held near the end of each year with renowned experts delivering speeches on world situation.

Source: Xinhua