Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor for me to attend this Conference. Many previous speakers have shared with us their incisive views on different aspects of maintaining the security and preventing an arms race in outer space. I am going to share with you some of my thoughts on the road ahead to prevent an arms race in outer space.

The development of science and technology in the peaceful use of outer space have brought us with unprecedented benefits to our economy, culture, and many other areas of human life. History tells us that, the development of science and technology could spearhead in the weapon development and thus bring havoc to human beings. Regrettably, there are signs that such scenario is turning into reality in outer space.

To guard against this emerging danger of weaponization of and an arms race in outer space, logically, we have but only three roads to choose.

The first one is not to put any restrictions, and let it go free.

The second one is to pose limited restriction by relying on international pressure and national political willingness.

The third is to put up strict legal measures to nip the danger in the bud.

The first road will lead us nowhere. If there was no restriction on the weaponization of and arms race in outer space, in the near future, various kinds of space weapons would fill up there and the fruitful achievements on the peaceful use of outer space are in jeopardy. Outer space would eventually follow the land, the sea and the sky to become the fourth battlefield. We have to spare more efforts to deal with such issues as “nonproliferation of weapon in outer space” or “weapons reduction in outer space.”

The second road is of limited effect at best. The international community may, through various political efforts, formulate the international pressure to oppose the weaponization of and arms race in outer space. However, good political will is inadequate to hold the pace of the weaponization of outer space. If there is no legal binding instrument to restrict the development and deployment of outer space weapons, countries may keen to protect their outer space properties by military means rather than depend on other countries good wills.

The third road is the most promising. Over years, the international community has concluded a number of legal instruments, regulating the protection of space vehicles, international liability for damage caused by space objects, confidence-building measures, prohibition of the placement of nuclear weapons or other WMD into orbit around the earth or on celestial bodies, prohibition of the militarization of the moon, prohibition of the development, testing and deployment of missile defense system and their components in outer space. All these instruments have played a positive role in promoting the peaceful exploitation and use of outer space.

However, the scope of these instruments is very limited. For example, the Outer Space Treaty only prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons and other WMDs in outer space, leaving other types of advanced conventional or “new concept” destructive weapons unchecked. The ABM Treaty has been abrogated, which impaired the international laws on restriction of development and deployment of space weapons. Many are of limited adherence, such as 1979 Moon Agreement. Besides, these instruments do not deal with such issues like the threat or use of force from the earth (either from land, sea or air) against space objects.

Therefore, mending current international legal system on outer space and stipulating a comprehensive international legal instrument on prevention of weaponization of and arms race in outer space should be high on our agenda.

-We have a good intellectual basis.

The Russia Federation, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Australia, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Venezuela and China, to name just a few, have put forward a lot of constructive suggestions and proposals at the UN and CD etc.

In June 2002, China, Russia along with some other states tabled in the CD a working paper entitled “Possible Elements for a Future International Agreement on the Prevention of the Development of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects” (contained in CD/1679), which set out a preliminary conceptual framework for the future space legal instrument. With the common efforts of China, Russia and the other states, such conceptual framework is becoming more substantial and perfect.

Furthermore, the U.S. Stimson Center proposed the “Model Code of Conduct for the Prevention of Incidents and Dangerous Military Practices in Outer Space”, some put forward security protection for outer space assets, confidence building and enhancing measures, the space debris management, and the rules of road in outer space and so on. All of them deserve serious consideration by all sides.

-We also have a competent negotiating body.

As the sole UN-authorized negotiation mechanism for arms control and disarmament treaty, the CD is the best location to negotiate and conclude a legal instrument on prevention an arms race in outer space. We should take full advantage of current conditions, set up Ad Hoc committee at an early date, and start to negotiate relevant international legal instrument. This is the most promising road ahead us to prevent weaponization of and arms race in outer space on the basis. We hope that all states, for the long-term security interests of human beings, show flexibility on CD work program.

We could take full advantages of the UN Committee on Peaceful Use of Outer Space, to establish the principles and regulations on peaceful use of outer space, promote the international cooperation on peaceful use of outer space, and explore and study scientific and legal issues concerning peaceful use of outer space.

The peaceful use of outer space and prevention an arms race in outer space are mutually complementary. If we make full use of existing mechanism, put in place an international legal system preventing the weaponization and an arm race in outer space, peace and security in outer space will be truly preserved.

Thank you.