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Statement by Mr. Hu Xiaodi, Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs of China, at the Plenary of the 2004 Session of the Conference on Disarmament
12 February 2004, Geneva
Madame President,
At the outset, allow me, on behalf of the Chinese
Delegation, to thank you cordially for your positive
efforts in facilitating the substantive work of the
Conference on Disarmament (CD). Our gratitude also goes
to your predecessor, Ambassador Kuniko Inoguchi of
Japan, for her valuable contributions.
This year witnesses its whole calendar filled up by the
CD, CCW governmental expert group meetings, UNDC, the
Third Prep COM for NPT 2005 Review Conference, BWC
expert meetings and annual conference, and the First
Committee of the UN General Assembly. It fully
demonstrates that the “traditional” disarmament and arms
control tasks, objectives and agenda have yet to be
fulfilled, which demand our further efforts. At the
same time, we cannot lose sight of the new security
environment, issues and threats. Therefore, it is
imperative to meet all the above challenges in a
comprehensive and balanced manner when promoting arms
control and disarmament in the CD or from a world-wide
perspective.
Madame President,
At present, the issue of non-proliferation is growing
salient in the area of international security. The
Chinese government has all along stood for the complete
prohibition and thorough destruction of all kinds of
weapons of mass destruction, and is resolutely opposed
to the proliferation of such weapons.
Over the years, China has constantly strengthened and
improved its non-proliferation legal system on the
principle of rule of law. To this end, we have
promulgated a series of laws and regulations concerning
the nuclear, biological, chemical, missile and military
fields, and adopted stringent and effective export
control measures.
On December 3, 2003, the Chinese government issued a
white paper entitled “China’s Non-Proliferation Policy
and Measures” (access: www. china.org.cn, “government
white paper section”). It is an authoritative official
document laying out China’s non-proliferation policy and
measures. The white paper elaborates, for the first
time in a comprehensive and systematic manner, the
characteristics of China’s non-proliferation export
control system, its relevant concrete measures as well
as the strict implementation of the laws and regulations
on non-proliferation export control. The document has
shown the resolve and sincerity of the Chinese
government for non-proliferation. Not only will this
white paper facilitate the departments concerned of the
Chinese government and relevant enterprises to have a
good grasp and implementation of these policies, laws
and regulations, but also enable the international
community to gain a comprehensive, objective and precise
understanding of China’s non-proliferation policy and
practices.
China’s non-proliferation export control system features
internationally accepted measures, such as export
registration system, licensing system, end-user and
end-use certification, list control method,
non-proliferation-oriented examination and approval,
“catch-all” principle and penalty measures.
In order to ensure the effective implementation of
non-proliferation export control laws and regulations,
the departments concerned of the Chinese government have
devoted great efforts to building non-proliferation
export control organs, publicizing relevant policies and
regulations, conducting education for enterprises,
investigating and handling cases of violation. So far,
a mechanism for a clear division of responsibility and
coordination has been set up among relevant government’s
functional departments concerning export control.
The Chinese government attaches great importance to the
investigation and handling of cases of law violations
relating to non-proliferation. Upon being aware of
possible illegal exports, the competent departments will
conduct serious investigations and administer
corresponding administrative punishments, or transfer
the cases to the judicial organs for ascertaining
criminal responsibility, depending on the seriousness of
the law-breaking acts. In recent years, the Chinese
government has investigated and dealt with a number of
law-breaking cases and administered corresponding
punishments to the units and individuals involved
according to law.
Madame President,
International non-proliferation efforts and national
non-proliferation policies and measures are mutually
complementary. Over years, China has participated
extensively in the construction, improvement and
development of the multilateral non-proliferation
regimes. We have signed all the relevant international
treaties relating to non-proliferation and become member
to a majority of the relevant international
organizations. Last September, Mr. Li Zhaoxing, Foreign
Minister of China, sent a letter to the Chair of
“Missile and Its Technology Control Regime” (MTCR), in
which he clearly stated that China is ready to
positively consider applying for joining the MTCR. Two
days ago, the first round of dialogue between China and
the MTCR was held. On January 26 this year, China
submitted its application for the membership of the
“Nuclear Suppliers Group” (NSG). In days ahead, China
will continue to participate actively in international
non-proliferation endeavors, and exert great efforts to
preserve and strengthen the existing international legal
system concerning non-proliferation under the auspices
of the United Nations. It will constantly increase
consultations and exchanges with the multinational
non-proliferation mechanisms, and continue to take an
active part in international discussions on
non-proliferation, so as to facilitate the development
and improvement of international non-proliferation
regime, contributing to the promotion of international
peace, stability and development.
Madame President,
On January 27, President Hu Jingtao of China and
President Jacques Chirac of France issued a joint
communiqué which embodies a series of basic positions
aimed at promoting arms control and preventing
proliferation. I hereby quote as follows:
“China and France reiterate the importance of observing
and strengthening the international instruments on arms
control and non-proliferation, and are resolutely
opposed to the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and their means of delivery. To this end,
both countries agreed to set up a working group on arm
control and non-proliferation in the framework of
bilateral strategic dialogue, and to strengthen their
cooperation and exchanges in the field of arms control,
non-proliferation and export control over sensitive
items.
Both attach importance to the strict observance of NPT,
reiterate the importance of the Treaty, and determine to
make efforts to facilitate the entry into force of CTBT.
Both also reiterate that it is imperative to strictly
abide by CWC and BWC.
Both agree in principle to hold a United Nations
Security Council summit meeting on the issue of
non-proliferation.
France welcomes China’s enaction of national laws and
regulations on export control over sensitive items, and
supports China’s membership in MTCR as soon as possible
and in other multilateral export control regimes when
appropriate.
Both reiterate the importance of preventing an arms race
in outer space.”
Madame President,
Last October, China successfully launched the “Shengzhou
5” manned spaceship, which not only marks China’s
significant progress in the field of peaceful use of
outer space, but also constitutes part of the endeavor
by the whole international community to explore outer
space. Outer space belongs to the humankind. It is in
the interest of all countries and peoples to prevent
weapons from proliferating into outer space, which must
never become “the fourth space” for arms race and war.
China continues to hold the view that the Conference on
Disarmament should reach agreement on a program of work
as suggested by the Five Ambassadors (CD/1693/Rev.1), so
as to start substantive work to negotiate international
legal instruments on its important agenda items,
including the prevention of an arms race in outer space.
Thank you, Madame President.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin
Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of
International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the
opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or
its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2007 by
MIIS.
