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Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs of China
Statement at the Plenary Meeting of the Conference on
Disarmament
GENEVA
11 March 1999
Mr. President,
At the outset, the Chinese delegation would like to express its appreciation for your relentless efforts in formulating this year's programme of work. During past weeks, you have conducted intensive consultations. And we pay tribute to the patience and diligence you have demonstrated in carrying out your responsibilities.
Concerning the working mechanism under CD's agenda item 3 entitled “Prevention of an arms race in outer space”, consultations are yet to take place. The Chinese delegation would like to put forward a specific proposal to be considered in future consultations.
China has always attached great importance to prevention of an arms race in outer space. I expounded on China's views and positions on this issue before the plenary of the Conference on Disarmament on August 13 last year and February 11 this year respectively. Given the fact that some country in recent years has been intensifying its efforts in developing and testing weapons and weapon systems in outer space, in particular, the latest disturbing developments, prevention of an arms race in outer space has become more pressing and present. China believes that, the Conference on Disarmament, as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum, should take concrete actions in this regard. It should reestablish an ad hoc committee to negotiate and conclude international legal instruments on prevention of an arms race in outer space.
In view of the above, I would hereby put forward the following proposal on the re-establishment of an ad hoc committee and its mandate under agenda item 3 entitled “Prevention of an arms race in outer space”:
“1. The Conference on Disarmament decides to reestablish under item 3 of its agenda entitled “Prevention of an arms race in outer space” an ad hoc committee which shall negotiate and conclude an international legal instrument banning the test, deployment and use of any weapons, weapon systems and their components in outer space, with a view to preventing the weaponization of outer space.
2. In carrying out its mandate, the ad hoc committee shall take into consideration all relevant proposals present and future and report to the Conference on the progress of its work before the conclusion of the 1999 session.”
Mr. President,
My delegation requests that this proposal be circulated as an official document of the Conference on Disarmament. We are ready to listen to the views and positions of all parties and make joint efforts in promoting substantive progress under this agenda item.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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