Mr. Chairman Designate,

The Chinese delegation congratulates you on your assumption of the chairmanship of the 2004 Meetings of Experts and States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). I believe that your rich experience in diplomatic affairs, particularly in BWC affairs, will lead the meeting to achieve progress on the discussion of related topics. I would also like to avail myself of this opportunity to express my appreciation to H.E. Mr. Tibor Toth, Ambassador of Hungary, for the outstanding and valuable efforts he has made.

Mr. Chairman Designate,

As an important component of international arms control treaty system and global collective security framework centered on the United Nations, the Biological Weapons Convention has all along played a critical role in the cause of complete prohibition, thorough destruction and non-proliferation of biological weapons. The Meeting of Experts serves as an important forum for States Parties to explore measures of strengthening the effectiveness of the Convention within multilateral framework. This endeavor helps States Parties to formulate and improve national implementation systems based on distinct national situation, and hence contributes to the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Convention. At such gatherings in 2003, States Parties held in-depth discussions on the topics of national implementation measures and biosecurity and oversight. China notes with pleasure that States Parties benefited from exchanging experiences among themselves and the meetings achieved tangible progress.

Mr. Chairman Designate,

In an increasingly globalized world, the outbreaks of infectious disease constitute a serious public health challenge. Bioterrorism is posing a threat to international security. Such issues cannot be addressed in the absence of collective efforts of the international community. The topics to be discussed at this meeting are of practical impact as they are connected with the objectives of the Convention. The Chinese delegation will support your efforts and participate in the discussion in an active and constructive manner. The Chinese delegation will submit two working papers on the topics of this year. We will give presentations on the surveillance of and responding to infectious diseases affecting humans, animals and plants, and share experiences with others on the outbreaks of SARS and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza occurred in China.

Mr. Chairman Designate,

The purpose of disease surveillance is to minimize the effects and consequences of disease by preventing and controlling its spread. As far as the Convention is concerned, disease surveillance carries on great significance for early alert and precaution of bioterrorism attacks. In this regard, States Parties have fundamental responsibility and relevant international organizations should actively cooperate with States Parties in such efforts. States Parties in a position to do so should provide financial, technological and equipment assistance to those States Parties in need. Besides, strengthened information sharing and response to outbreaks of disease will also contribute to the enhancement of global capabilities combating outbreaks of infectious disease.

Mr. Chairman Designate,

According to the Convention, any State Party to this Convention which finds that any other State Party is acting in breach of obligations deriving from the provisions of the Convention may lodge a complaint with the Security Council of the United Nations. Each State Party to this Convention undertakes to cooperate in carrying out any investigation that the Security Council may initiate. The 1987 General assembly resolution on Chemical and Bacteriological (Biological) Weapons (A/Res/42/37) and the 1989 Secretary-General report (A/44/561) on Chemical and Bacteriological (Biological) Weapons set out guidelines and procedures for the investigation of possible use of biological and chemical weapons. China believes that the above-mentioned mechanisms should be strictly observed and the implementation be justifiable, reasonable and guard against abuse. Countries and regions differ in terms of technological and economical development as well as disease control capability. Since the suspicious outbreaks of disease of each country have different aetiological and epidemiological syndromes, it is hard to set up a universally applicable standard that qualifies suspicious outbreaks of disease of each country. Therefore, if any State Party to the Convention requests for the investigation on suspicious outbreaks of disease, it should provide valid evidence to prove that the relevant outbreak of disease is directly linked to the prohibited activities of the Convention. By so doing, the waste of investigation resources and unnecessary losses to the investigated State Party could be avoided.

Mr. Chairman Designate,

China has all along stood for the comprehensive prohibition and thorough destruction of biological weapons. To this end, China has been practicing stringent control on the export of dual-use biological agents and related equipment and technologies in accordance with The Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-Use Biological Agents and Related Equipment and Technologies. The Regulations establish a licensing system on all items identified in its Export Control List so as to prevent them from being used for biological weapons.

The Chinese Government supports measures aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of the Convention within multilateral framework. China attaches great importance to disease surveillance which is closely related to public health and economic and social stability. According to the principle of "put people first" and "rule by law", China has promulgated a series of laws and regulations on surveillance of diseases affecting humans, animals and plants, which clearly stipulate the principles, reporting, administration and notification of reporting system on outbreaks of disease. To effectively implement the related laws and regulations and steadily carry out surveillance of diseases, China has set up special agencies at national and local level on surveillance of diseases affecting humans, animals and plants. While putting more resources into disease surveillance, prevention and control system, the Chinese Government has also made great efforts in raising public awareness of scientific knowledge related to disease prevention and control, so as to improve self-protection and self-precaution capability of the publics. At international level, the combat against serious outbreaks of disease requires the effective coordination and cooperation among all States Parties in setting up and improving disease surveillance and control system at global and regional level.

Mr. Chairman Designate,

The eradication of the disaster brought by biological weapons is the common aspiration of all States Parties. The practical and potential threats posed by bioterrorism make peace-loving people realize that strengthening the effectiveness of the Convention has great significance in preventing biological weapons falling into wrong hands. It is the common task for all States Parties to ensure the effectiveness and promote the implementation of the Convention. China is of the view that coordination and communication on common concerned issues among states Parties within multilateral framework renders an important guarantee for improving the effectiveness and vitality of the Convention. We are ready to make unremitting efforts with other sides on strengthening the effectiveness of the Convention so as to completely eliminate the threat of biological weapons.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman Designate.