(Check against delivery)

(The Hague, 13 March 2007)

Madam Chairperson,

Please allow me, first of all, on behalf of the Chinese delegation, to welcome you back at the chair of this session of the Council. As this is the last Council session under your guidance, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to you for the efforts and contributions you have made during the past year. I am confident that with your rich diplomatic experiences, this session will surely be crowned with success. I assure you the full cooperation of the Chinese delegation in ensuring a smooth conclusion of this session's deliberations with regard to all the agenda items.

Here, I would also like to thank the Director-General Mr Pfirter for the very informative report he has just made and associate myself fully with the statement made by the distinguished Ambassador of Cuba on behalf of the non-aligned countries and China. Now I wish to further elaborate China's views on some issues.

Madam Chairperson,

In just 40-odd days, we shall mark the tenth anniversary of the EIF of the Convention. On that day ten years ago, we were expecting to see the total elimination of all chemical weapons by this date. However, while reviewing the current progress in CW destruction, we regret to see that this objective is far from being achieved. According to what the DG has just reported on the progress of CW destruction, chemical weapons so far destroyed account only for 23% of the total amount declared. like others, China understands that the actual difficulties encountered in CW destruction, in terms of technology, financing, environmental protection, etc, may be much more demanding than what the drafters of the Convention envisaged at the time. However, early arrival of the chemical free world is not only the wish of the drafter, but the common call of the people all over the world, which deserve the efforts made by all parties. All possessor states should further promote their sense of urgency and intensify their efforts in speeding up the destruction process, so as to ensure that all chemical weapons will be destroyed by 2012 ?within the deadlines stipulated under the Convention.

Madam Chairperson,

The proper disposal of Japanese ACWs in China has always been a major concern of the Chinese government and people. The most urgent task at the present is to start the substantive destruction process as soon as possible. We urge Japan to intensify their efforts in this area, so as to eliminate, at an early date, the harmful legacy of Japanese ACWs. As the territorial Sate Party, China will, as always, provide appropriate cooperation in accordance with the Convention.

Madam Chairperson,

The current important issues in the industry cluster include the methodology for the selection of OCPF inspection sites and the frequency of inspections to Scheduled chemicals sites, both of which bear on the future direction of the verification regime. According to the mandate of the EC meeting, informal consultations have recently been carried out on these issues. China does not hold against the appropriate adjustment of the inspection frequency among different Scheduled chemical sites based on the scientific development and experience of the technical Secretariat on the implementation of verification provisions in the past decade. Nevertheless, any resolution of the issue should be reached on the basis of the relevant provisions of the Convention and by consensus through extensive consultations among States Parties. China will continue to participate in the consultations in a serious and constructive manner, in order to bring about an early resolution of the issues.

Madam Chairperson,

Since last November, further progress has been made in the implementation of the action plan on national implementation measures. A number of States Parties have been able to come up with comprehensive legislations, and the number of States Parties that have submitted the required declarations has increased. We recognize that with significant progress made in the past few years in this area, it would now take tremendous efforts on the part of the Secretariat and the States Parties to make any further progress, however insignificant. We appreciate the unremitting efforts made by the relevant parties.

Madam Chairperson,

The year 2006 saw steady progress of the Secretariat's international cooperation programmes to the benefit of capacity-building in developing countries and implementation of Article XI. I would appeal to States Parties to attach greater importance to international cooperation and take practical and effective measures to promote exchange and cooperation in the area. The Secretariat on its part should strengthen its work programme, make full use of the limited resources, and carry out such programmes to make them a success.

Madam Chairperson,

The chairperson of the Council for the year 2007-2008 will be a member of the Asian Group. After consultation, the Asian Group has unanimously nominated the Philippine Ambassador Mr. Romeo Arguelles for the post. As a member of the Asian Group, China will fully support Ambassador Arguelles in his work. If the Council approves the nomination, we are confident that with his outstanding diplomatic skills, Ambassador Arguelles will surely contribute to the efficient functioning of the Council and the effective implementation of the Convention.

Madam Chairperson,

China believes that the early establishment of an OPCW office in Africa will serve to promote the universality of the Convention and its effective implementation in Africa. We appreciate the work done by the ad hoc working group and the Secretariat, and we support the working group in its efforts to expedite a specific proposal for the establishment of this office. China will take an active part in the discussions.

Madam Chairperson,

The preparation for the commemorative events of the tenth anniversary of the Convention is going on step by step. China believes that it is a good opportunity to present to the public contribution of the OPCW to the preservation of the international peace and security, and to raise the public awareness of this organization in the international community. China will actively participate in the commemorative events.

Finally, I wish this session a complete success. Thank you.