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Updated March 2006
Chemical Chronology
1980-1989
23 October 1980
Lai Yali, Chinese Representative to the UN, comments on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Afghanistan and Cambodia at the UN General Assembly. Lai says, "The international community should take all effective measures to firmly curb any actions that violate the 1925 Geneva Protocol on the prohibition of the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases and of bacteriological methods of warfare."
— "Chinese Representative Calls for Combination of Struggle for Disarmament with Anti-Hegemonism," Xinhua News Agency, 23 October 1980, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
2 December 1980
China votes in favor of a draft resolution asking the UN Secretary General to send a team of medical and technical experts to investigate reports of alleged chemical weapons use by the Soviet Union and Vietnam in Southeast Asia.
— "UN Passes Draft Resolution on Investigation of Use of Chemical Weapons," Xinhua News Agency, 2 December 1980, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
24 November 1981
According to a participant at an academic seminar held in Chongqing in Sichuan Province, China has the capability to produce 16,500 tons of activated carbon of 80 types annually. China exports some activated carbon, which can be used in defense against chemical weapons, to countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania.
— "China Increases Production, Application of Activated Carbon," Xinhua News Agency, 24 November 1981, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
23 February 1982
The Chinese representative at the UN Commission for Human Rights in Geneva accuses the Soviet Union of engaging in chemical warfare in Afghanistan and supplying Vietnam with chemical weapons to use in Cambodia.
— "Moscow Brushes off Charge of Chemical Weapons Use," United Press International, 23 February 1982, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
30 June 1982
Advocating a halt to the arms race, the Chinese delegation at the UN General Assembly on Disarmament states that chemical weapons and other weapons of mass destruction should be prohibited.
— "China's Proposal on Halt to Arms Race and Disarmament at United Nations," Xinhua News Agency, 30 June 1982, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
20 June 1984
Japanese Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe expresses regret that the Japanese Imperial Army used chemical weapons, including mustard gas, against China during World War II and states that the Japanese government will investigate the matter.
— "Abe Regrets for Japan's Use of Poisonous Gas in China in World War II," Xinhua News Agency, 21 June 1984, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
30 September 1985
At the U.N. General Assembly Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian advocates the "complete prohibition and thorough destruction of chemical weapons" and urges nations to "stop testing, producing, transferring and deploying chemical weapons and pledge against the use of such weapons."
— Ivan Zverina, "China Calls on U.S., Soviets Quit Outer Space Arms Race," United Press International, 30 September 1985, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
21 March 1986
In an address in Beijing marking the International Year of Peace, Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang calls on the United States and the Soviet Union to destroy their chemical weapons.
— "China Urges Superpowers to End Nuclear Testing," United Press International, 21 March 1986, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
3 August 1986
According to a senior official of the People's Liberation Army, China's Chemical Corps is meeting world standards in its ability to deal with attacks by nuclear and chemical weapons. According to the official, the Corps "was set up to defend China from possible attacks by invaders with nuclear and chemical weapons," and has also helped combat radioactive and chemical leakage accidents in China.
— "China's Chemical Corps Advancing," Xinhua News Agency, 3 August 1986, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
30 August 1986
China, a participant of the 40-nation Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, expresses its disappointment in the deadlock between the Soviet Union and the United States over the means of verification for chemical weapons disarmament. The Conference ends its summer session without progress on a chemical weapons ban that is expected to be signed by 1987.
— "40-Nation Disarmament Meeting Ends," Xinhua News Agency, 30 August 1986, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com.
1 February 1987
The Xinhua News Agency reports that China has a highly effective defense project in protecting against chemical weapons as well as conventional and nuclear explosions.
— "China Builds Complete System of Defense Projects," Xinhua News Agency, 1 February 1987, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
16 April 1987
Fan Guoxiang, head of the Chinese delegation at the UN Conference on Disarmament, urges the elimination of chemical weapons and their production sites, reminding other delegations that they are "obligated to declare and destroy their stockpile and production facilities under international verification so as to ensure the security of all states." He points out that states repeatedly violate the Geneva Protocol signed more than 50 years ago, and calls for effective verification of a treaty prohibiting the use and manufacturing of CW, while simultaneously protecting commercial and technical secrets in the chemical industry.
— "China Urges Elimination of Chemical Weapons," Xinhua News Agency, 16 April 1987, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
16 June 1987
Lin Lanying, deputy to the National People's Congress and vice chairwoman to China's National Science and Technology Commission, calls for an international agreement on the complete prohibition and total destruction of chemical weapons. Lin makes these comments while speaking at the Third Annual World Conference of Parliamentary Women for Peace, Disarmament and Development.
— "Chinese Woman Legislator Addresses World Conference of Parliamentarian Women," Xinhua News Agency, 16 June 1987, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
21 November 1987
Yasushi Akashi, under-secretary general of the United Nations for Disarmament, praises China's efforts towards disarmament and the prohibition of chemical weapons. Akashi states he is "very pleased to see China has in recent years been playing a very active and constructive role in that regard."
— Chen Shengtao, "Senior U.N. Official Hopeful about Disarmament," Xinhua News Agency, 21 November 1987, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
10 December, 1987
Chinese President Li Xiannian praises the treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union to eliminate intermediate-range nuclear weapons, but urges the countries to continue negotiations towards the complete prohibition of the use of chemical, nuclear and conventional weapons as a means to promote worldwide peace.
— "China Welcomes U.S.-Soviet Pact, President Li Xiannian says," Xinhua News Agency, 10 December, 1987, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
30 March 1988
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Li Zhaoxing criticizes the use of chemical weapons in the Iran-Iraq war and calls on Iran and Iraq to abide by the 1925 Geneva Convention banning the use of chemical weapons. Li also urges both countries to cooperate with UN efforts to bring about a ceasefire.
— "China Voices Concern over Chemical Warfare in Gulf War," Japan Economic Newswire, 30 March 1988, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
18 October 1988
China and Romania issue a joint communiqué in which both countries advocate the elimination of chemical weapons. The statement is issued during Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu's visit to China.
— "Sino-Romanian Joint Press Communiqué Issued," Xinhua News Agency, 18 October 1988, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
December 1988
The Chinese delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, prepares for the Conference on Chemical Weapons Use to be held in Paris 7-10 January 1989. Qian expresses that China is against military threats and armed aggression, and also favors the complete destruction of chemical weapons. Qian says, "China hopes that an international convention for a complete prohibition of chemical weapons will be concluded as soon as possible."
— "Chinese Foreign Minister to Attend Paris Conference on Abolishing Chemical Weapons," Xinhua News Agency, 29 December 1988, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
7-10 January 1989
A Chinese delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, attends the Conference on Chemical Weapons Use in Paris.
— "China Attends Paris Conference on Chemical Weapons," Xinhua News Agency, 6 January 1989, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com.
1989-1991
Hong Kong-based Cheng Ming Magazine reports that China supported Iraq in the Gulf War and reportedly supplied Baghdad with military assistance and advice, large quantities of arms, including chemical weapons, and engaged in intelligence sharing with Iraq since 1989.
— "Peking Reportedly Supports Iraq in Gulf War," Central News Agency, Taiwan, 1 February 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
21 September 1989
Speaking at the Government-Industry Conference against Chemical Weapons held in Canberra, Australia, Zhang Zai, head of the Chinese delegation, says the Chinese government and chemical industry support the complete prohibition and destruction of chemical weapons. Zhang also states that "China neither possesses nor produces chemical weapons."
— "China Supports Global Ban on Chemical Weapons," Xinhua News Agency, 21 September 1989, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
28 September 1989
In response to President George H. W. Bush's plan for a three-phased reduction and destruction of chemical weapons, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Li Zhaoxing says, "Possessing the largest arsenals of chemical weapons in the world, the United States and the Soviet Union should undoubtedly bear special responsibility for prohibition of chemical weapons...We have taken note of the proposals advanced by the U.S. President and the Soviet Foreign Minister respectively, and we hope that they will take practical actions to fulfill their special responsibilities."
— "China Stands for Complete Prohibition and Thorough Destruction of Chemical Weapons," Xinhua News Agency, 28 September 1989, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
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 © 2008
by MIIS.
