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Updated March 2006
Chemical Chronology
1990-1995
15 February 1990
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Li Zhaoxing calls on the United States and Soviet Union to destroy their chemical weapons, reconfirming China's advocacy for their prohibition and thorough destruction. Li says, "The two superpowers that have the largest chemical arsenals bear a special responsibility for the prohibition of chemical weapons and should take the lead in practical actions." Li says that China hopes for an international convention to be concluded at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva to deal with the threats posed by chemical weapons.
— "Highlights of Today's Foreign Affairs in China," Xinhua News Agency, 15 February 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
12 April 1990
At the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Hou Zhitong, China's Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs, criticizes the United States and Soviet Union on their lack of progress in disarmament and destruction of chemical weapons. He says that attempts by the two countries have been merely a "vague expression of their intention to slash a portion of their chemical weapons arsenals within a relatively long time-frame in the future." He blames the two nations for falling short in the area of disarmament and urges them to make substantive progress in their bilateral talks.
—"China Appeal for Progress in Chemical Weapons Talks," Xinhua News Agency, 12 April 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
26 April 1990
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson expresses China's appreciation and support for Egypt's proposal that the Middle East be free from destructive weapons, stating that China has always advocated a complete and thorough prohibition of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.
—"China Stands for Freeing Mid-East from Destructive Weapons," Xinhua News Agency, 26 April 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
6 June 1990
According to U.S. intelligence reports, China may be considering sale of chemicals that could be used to make poison gas to Libya. The chemicals in question could also be used towards civilian purposes.
—Michael R. Gordon, "China Weighs Sale of Gas Chemicals," New York Times, 7 June 1990, Section A; Page 15.
6 June 1990
State Department spokesperson Richard Boucher confirms that the U.S. officials "have met with the Chinese recently on the subject of chemical weapons proliferation." Boucher refuses to elaborate on the meetings.
—"Eagleburger Meets with Chinese Ambassador," Associated Press, 7 June 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
24 August 1990
Hou Zhitong, Chinese representative to the UN Conference on Disarmament, calls for a comprehensive ban and elimination of chemical weapons.
—"China Calls for Ban and Elimination of Chemical Weapons," Xinhua News Agency, 24 August 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
28 September 1990
In a policy speech at the 45th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen notes that "the task of disarmament is still arduous" and he calls on the United States and the Soviet Union to "unconditionally and completely destroy their chemical weapon stockpiles."
—"Chinese Foreign Minister's Speech at U.N. General Assembly," Xinhua News Agency, 28 September 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
17 October 1990
Hou Zhitong, Chinese ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, tells the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in Geneva that China stands for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of chemical weapons.
—"China on Disarmament Issues," Xinhua News Agency, 17 October 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
16 May 1990
On a state visit to Mexico, Chinese President Yang Shangkun says that China supports an absolute ban on chemical weapons.
—"Chinese President Yang Shangkun on Major Issues," Xinhua News Agency, 16 May 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
31 January 1991
China is named as a probable possessor of chemical weapons by a report sponsored by U.S. Congress. The study called "Finding Common Ground: U.S. Export Controls in a Changed Global Environment" names China among 11 countries that are likely to have chemical weapons programs. The report recommends harmonized export controls for sensitive chemicals, and urges the international community to include the Soviet Union and China into the international machinery for controlling sensitive exports.
—Carl Hartman, "Many Nations Believed to have Chemical Weapons," Associated Press, 31 January 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com.; Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, Finding Common Ground: U.S. Export Controls in a Changed Global Environment (1991).
19 May 1991
China and the Soviet Union release a Joint Sino-Soviet Communiqué following Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Jiang Zemin's official visit to the USSR. Both sides declare that they "stand for concluding an accord on the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of all chemical weapons as speedily as possible."
—"Full Text of Sino-Soviet Joint Communiqué," Xinhua News Agency, 19 May 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
9 July 1991
During his visit to Iran, Chinese Premier Li Peng releases a joint statement with Iranian leaders Ayatollah Khameini and President Rafsanjani. In the statement, both sides oppose the use of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and call for a "just, logical, comprehensive and balanced" arms control.
—"China, Iran Call for Weapons Destruction after Li Visit," Japan Economic Newswire, 9 July 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com.
18 July 1991
A Japanese government-sponsored team of experts confirms Beijing's claims that the Japanese Army had left chemical weapons in Northeast China during World War II. According to sources, the Japanese government intends to clean up the remaining weapons.
—"Beijing Claims on Japan Chemical Arms Confirmed," Jiji Press Ticker Service, 18 July 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
27 February 1992
At the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, China proposes an international law that would require any country leaving chemicals weapons on another's territory to dispose of the weapons at their own cost. Japanese ambassador Mitsuro Donowaki rejects China's proposal on the grounds that it is directed specifically at Japan. However, Donowaki states that Japan will take responsibility for weapons left by the Japanese Army during World War II and will come to a realistic solution for disposal through bilateral negotiations with China.
—"Japan Opposes China Proposal on Weapons Disposal," Jiji Press Ticker Service, 27 February 1992, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
16 April 1992
For the first time, China publicly demands that Japan deal with chemical weapons left by the Japanese Army in China during WWII. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry states, "It is only natural that the Japanese side should shoulder the responsibility to destroy those weapons. We hope that a satisfactory solution will be found to this question at an early date."
—"China Demands that Japan Dispose of Chemical Weapons," Agence France Presse, 16 April 1992, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
21 August 1992
Hou Zhitong, head of the Chinese delegation at the ad hoc committee on chemical weapons at the Conference on Disarmament states China's general support of the draft of the Chemical Weapons Convention, but expresses reservations about parts of the proposal, stating that the treaty does not meet the demands of developing nations. Specifically he states, "An extremely large number of chemical facilities not relevant to [chemical weapons] are subject, where there is no necessity at all, to declaration and verification. The intended inclusion of facilities for space chemistry is totally unreasonable. This will inevitably create grave difficulties for and interference in the chemical industry of the developing countries." Hou also states that the scope of verification of the chemical industry is too broad and, in come cases, unnecessary.
—"China States Position on Chemical Weapons Convention," Xinhua News Agency, 22 August 1992, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
22 September 1992
Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen says China is satisfied in being able to cooperate with the United States on negotiations for a chemical weapons convention.
—"Chinese Foreign Minister on the Future of Sino-U.S. Ties," Xinhua News Agency, 22 September 1992, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
12 November 1992
Chinese ambassador to the Convention on the Prohibition and Destruction of Chemical Weapons, Hou Zhitong, notes that the draft of the convention is a positive step towards international peace and security as it provides an international legal basis for the complete elimination of chemical weapons.
—"China: CW Convention Conducive to World Peace," Xinhua News Service, 12 November 1992, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
16 December 1992
Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen announces in Beijing that China will sign the Chemical Weapons Convention in Paris.
—"Chinese Foreign Minister to Visit Africa Next January," Xinhua News Agency, 17 December 1992, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
13 January 1993
China signs the Chemical Weapons Convention. At the signing, Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen says "the convention is not perfect. It has drawbacks, especially concerning verification, which, we hope, can be remedied, overcome and avoided during the course of practice."
—"Chemical Weapons Convention; China, Japan and ROK Sign Chemical Weapons Convention; North Korea Urged to Sign," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 15 January 1993, Part 3, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
28 August 1993
A joint China-Saudi Arabia team inspects the Chinese cargo ship Yinhe bound for Iran. U.S. officials suspected the ship to be carrying chemical precursors.
— "Inspection of Freighter Shows No Illicit Chemicals for Iran: China," Agence France Presse, 2 September 1993, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com.
2 September 1993
Inspection of the Chinese cargo ship Yinhe bound for Iran shows that the ship is not carrying chemical precursors, as the U.S. has suspected.
—"Inspection of Freighter Shows No Illicit Chemicals for Iran: China," Agence France Presse, 2 September 1993, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com.
4 September 1993
After inspections of the Chinese ship Yinhe reveal that the vessel is not carrying chemical precursors to Iran, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs releases the following statement:
"As a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention, China is very serious about its international obligations thereunder. Despite the fact that the Convention has yet to take effect, China has committed itself publicly not to produce or possess chemical weapons, nor does it export chemical products that may be used for the purpose of making chemical weapons. In order to ensure that the chemicals it exports will not be used for chemical weapons, the Chinese Government has formulated extremely stringent measures to control its chemical export. As to the two chemicals referred to by the U.S. side, the Chinese Government has clear-cut orders against their export to certain regions. The Chinese Government will, as always, strictly observe its international obligations and make its contribution to safeguarding international peace and security and promoting normal economic and trade exchanges among countries."
—Chris Yueng, "Washington Told to Learn from Yinhe," South China Morning Post, 9 September 1993, p. 8.
10 September 1993
Dai Qiquan, Executive Vice President of China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), which owns the Yinhe cargo ship, threatens to resort to legal means if the U.S. government does not pay compensation. The U.S. government, which had suspected Yinhe to be carrying chemical precursors to Iran, had barred the ship from entering the Persian Gulf until the cargo was inspected. COSCO has demanded a compensation of $12.93 million for lost revenues and damage to the company's reputation. State Department Spokesperson Martin Judge rejected the claims and added, "The cargo inspection was done with full consent of China. The U.S. government informed China prior to the commencement of the search that it could not accept any financial liability as a condition of the search."
—"Chinese Shipping Company Calls for Legal Action in Yinhe Affair," Agence France Presse, 10 September 1993, "U.S. Says Search of Chinese Ship 'Unfortunate,'" Agence France Presse, 5 September 1993 in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com.
16 December 1994
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Kozo Igarashi says Japan wishes to work in good faith with China to find a positive solution to remove chemical weapons left by Japan in China during World War II.
—"Government Positive on Removing China's Chem. Arms," Jiji Press Ticker, 16 December 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
March 1995
The United States alleges that China is discussing the sale of chemical weapons to Iran during the visit to Beijing by Iranian foreign affairs minister, Ali Akbar Velayati on 27 March. China's Foreign Ministry issues a statement denying the allegations.
—"China rejects allegations of nuclear, chemical deals with Iran," Agence France Presse, 29 March 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
9-12 November 1995
Bruce Reidel, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense, tells the U.S. House International Relations Committee that Chinese firms have provided Iran with infrastructural assistance for building chemical plants and some of the precursors for developing chemical weapons. Iran denies the allegations.
—Donald M. Rothberg, "China Said to be Helping Iran Develop Chemical Weapons,¼ Associated Press, 9 November 1995; "Iran Denies U.S. Defense Department's Claims," Xinhua News Agency, 12 November 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com.
16 November 1995
The Information Office of the State Council of China issues a White Paper on Arms Control and Disarmament stating China's commitment to abide by the Chemical Weapons Convention. The paper also states that while China has a sizeable civilian chemical industry, it is cautious and responsible regarding the export of dual-use chemical and refuses to export chemicals or relevant materials or technology for the purpose of producing chemical weapons.
—"China Imposes Strict Control Over Transfer of Sensitive Materials and Military Equipment," Xinhua News Agency, 16 November 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com; "China Arms Control and Disarmament (November 1995)," Information Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, November 1995, Beijing, www.china.org.cn/e-white/army/a-6.htm
27 December 1995
China adopts the Regulations on Controlled Chemicals, which governs exports of all Chemical Weapons Convention-controlled items.
—Evan S. Medeiros, "Chasing the Dragon: Assessing China's System of Export Controls for WMD-Related Goods and Technologies," RAND National Security Research Division, 2005, www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2005/RAND_MG353.pdf.
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