BEIJING, June 3  -- Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying on Wednesday reaffirmed that the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) regarded the status of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) state as a crucial standard to accept new member state.

Hua made the remarks while responding to Associated Press of Pakistan's question about China's view on Pakistan's application for the NSG membership, as the NSG plenary meeting is being held in Argentina.

Hua said the NSG is an important component of the international non-proliferation regime, and it is the long-standing consensus of the international community that the NPT is the cornerstone of the regime.

"The recently concluded Ninth NPT Review Conference has reaffirmed this consensus. On account of this, the NSG has so far regarded the status of the NPT state as a crucial standard to accept new member state," Hua said.

In fact, besides Pakistan, there are other non NPT states who have expressed similar aspirations. "This raises an issue to the international community, that is whether non NPT states are in the position to join the NSG," Hua noted.

She added that China believes this issue deserves thorough discussion among NSG member states in accordance with relevant rules, in order to make a decision by consensus.

Hua said China has noted Pakistan's aspirations for NSG membership. Pakistan has taken steps towards its mainstreaming into the global non-proliferation regime.

"We support Pakistan's engagement with the NSG, and hope such efforts could be conducive to the authority and effectiveness of international non-proliferation regime," she said.

"We wish to strengthen communication and coordination with Pakistan," she said.