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Statement by H.E. Mr. Hu Xiaodi, Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs and Head of Delegation of the People's Republic of China, At the Ad Hoc Group of States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention
12 February 2001
Mr. Chairman,
On behalf of the Chinese delegation, I welcome you back to preside over the
work of the Ad Hoc Group. I am convinced that with your rich experience and
outstanding diplomatic skills, you will surely lead the Group to achieve
positive results during this session. I would like to assure you of my
delegation's full cooperation.
Mr. Chairman,
This is our first meeting in the new century. During the past century,
mankind lived under the shadow of the threat of biological weapons.
Strengthening the effectiveness of the Biological Weapons Convention in a
comprehensive and practical manner and freeing the humanity from the threat of
biological warfare at an early date is an important task the times entrust to
us. China has been a victim of biological weapons. Eliminating biological
weapons completely, thus making biotechnology genuinely and universally benefit
all mankind, has been a long aspiration of the Chinese people and the persistent
position of the Chinese government. It is also the ultimate motivation of our
active participation in the BWC Protocol negotiation.
Mr. Chairman,
As mandated by the Special Conference of States Parties to the Convention in
1994, a fair, rational and legally binding instrument acceptable to all shall be
negotiated. After years of intensive work, the framework of the Protocol has
gradually come into shape. The current "rolling text" reflects the outcome of
the negotiation. The negotiation, in our judgement, is now making steady
progress. However, great efforts remain to be made in order to complete our
negotiation in a timely manner.
First of all, there are significant differences in the Group on some major
outstanding issues. Expectations of the future Protocol from different quarters
do not coincide completely with one another. In such a situation, it is
particularly necessary to clearly define the direction of our future work by
reviewing our mandate and measuring our current work thereby. This Group has a
clear-cut mandate. We should follow it precisely. Falling short of it or going
beyond it would only lead to a counterproductive deviation from where we
started. It should never be forgotten that the Protocol is a military and
security legal instrument, which shall, in the first place, focus on activities
and facilities with high risk to the object and purpose of the Convention. A
Protocol with no focus or with misplaced focus can never help strengthen the
effectiveness of the Convention. To normal economic and trade activities for
peaceful purposes the Protocol shall render its active facilitation and full
support. After the conclusion and entry into force of the Protocol, any group
export control mechanism or arrangements incompatible with the Convention should
be abolished.
We strive for concluding the Protocol in a timely manner. China remains committed to completing the negotiation within the envisaged timeline. Nevertheless, it should be noted that we are not supposed to negotiate for the sake of negotiating. The negotiation, in the final analysis, is aimed at concluding a good protocol. The quality of the Protocol must be of paramount importance and remain our top priority. In other words, the Protocol shall not only look nice, but also work well. In the field of arms control and disarmament, there is no lack of examples where treaties are concluded in a hasty manner, leaving trouble in the future.
Therefore, everything should be done to avoid following the same old road.
Recently, our working methodology has changed one way or another. Informal
consultations take place more frequently. More compromise proposals are put
forward. This is the logical development of multilateral negotiation. I would
like to take this opportunity to convey our appreciation to the Chairman of the
Group for his unremitting efforts. Nevertheless, we must look squarely at the
fact that there exist quite divergent views regarding many important issues,
which constitute key elements of the Protocol, such as visit, declaration
triggers, investigation and transfer. Informal consultations do have their
merits. Technical ingenuity or textual fixes might help resolve some
nonessential issues. But major political issues call for political solutions,
which can only be sought through serious negotiations focusing on the rolling
text that continues to constitute the basis of our work. The conclusion of the
Protocol will only be the result of compromises made by all sides, which to a
great extent depend on their political willingness. Nevertheless, with regard to
fundamental principles relating to the object and purpose of the Protocol, there
will not be much room for maneuvering.
Mr. Chairman,
Historical experience reminds us that arms control and disarmament
negotiations are never conducted in a vacuum. The Protocol negotiation is no
exception. It can hardly be divorced from the present day political and security
reality. Maintaining an international environment of universal security,
harmonious stability and mutual trust will contribute to the progress of the
negotiation. At the same time, vigorous development of modern bio-technology,
genetic technology in particular, can not afford to be neglected.
Mr. Chairman,
While entering the 21st century, it is imperative for the mankind to put an end forever to the threat of biological weapons. Like most of other States Parties, China supports concluding a good Protocol in time. We sincerely hope the long-term endeavor of the Group will bear fruitful results in the first year of this new century, and the cause of biological disarmament will develop smoothly. China, along with other countries, will continue to make unremitting efforts toward this goal.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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
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MIIS.
