Mr.Chairman,

First,please allow me,on behalf of the Chinese delegation,to congratulate you on your election to the presidency of this meeting.I believe that with your talents and wisdom,and the full cooperation of each delegation,this meeting will of certain achieve active fruits.

Mr.Chairman,

Last year,the 3rd review conference of the Convention on the Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects(CCW) was held successfully with the adoptation of a series of important decisions including "plan of action to promote the universality of the convention", "the compliance mechanism ",marked a key milestone in CCW process.We are delighted to notice that since the 3rd review conference,each state party has earnestly implemented every decisions made by the conference,collectively promoted the universality of the convention,strengthened the buildup of the compliance mechanism,discussed deeply on the commonly- concerned issues of each side within the framework of  the convention and practically carried out the obligations regulated by the convention and its attached protocols.Hence,the convention process has achieved new developments continually.

We ought to notice that presently the international situation tends to ease up in general,while regional armed-conflict still occures frequently.Non-traditional security elements such as terrorism and international organized crime-commission have posed severe threat to international and regional peace and security.Therewith,certain conventional weapons which may be deemed to be excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects threaten the safty of the people's life and property of relative regions continuously and caused humanitarian concern.There is still a long way forward to realize the object and purpose of the convention.Each state party should be dedicated continuously in the endevour of strengthening the universality and validity of the convention,stick to the principles of consulting on an equal basis,striving for common understanding while maintaining difference,well balancing between military demand and humanitarian concern, embody sufficiently the spirit of flexibility to promote tangible progress for each work under the framework of the convention and maintain the authority and vatility of the convention process.

The Chinese government constantly attaches great importance in the key role the CCW playes in resolving the humanitarian concerns caused by certain conventional weapons,participates actively in the convention progression, earnestly implementes all the obligations set by the convention and its attached protocols.Since last year,the Chinese government has continued to carry out the work of promulgating and spreading the convention and its attached protocols among the military forces and all across the country,dedicated itself to international transaction and cooperation in the field of humanitarian mission.The Chinese side is willing to continue the endevour together with all the other sides in promoting the convention to play a greater role in avoiding the humanitarian sufferings caused by certain conventional weapons.

Mr.Chairman,

About the issue of cluster munitions

The issue of cluster munitions have caused great attention among international society and become the new priority for the convention's progression since last year.The relative work under the framework of the convention has started out in order according to the relative decision of the 3rd  review conference.At the experts meeting held by the International Committee of Red Cross,the participants from each side had seriously studied the causes and solutions for the issue of cluster munitions from military,technical and legislative perspectives.During the governmental expert meeting held in last June,the participants of each side have had a furthermore in-depth discussion on all the aspects of the issue of humanitarian concerns caused by cluster munitions and the follow-up arrangement of work ,and achieved a basic common understanding in the necessity in addressing this issue.The above-mentioned efforts have set up a solid foundation for a practical solution of the issue of cluster munitions under the framework of the convention.

Presently,there still exist some different views and opinions upon the aspects of target,principles,ways and framework to addressing this issue.The issue is very complicated in nature and involved in military,technical and legislative fields.There is no strange for the emergence of above-mentioned different views.

What needs to be pointed out is that the Chinese side persists the idea that the high contracting parties of the CCW include all of the major manufacturers,users and transferors of cluster munitions.Hence, only when addressing this issue under the framework of the CCW will it be of practical and feasible significance.In order to ensure that the relative tangible work could be started up as soon as possible and produce practical outcome,each side should fully reflect flexibility and genuinely balance military security demand and humanitarian concern.We believe that with the relative work going further,each side strengthening communication and coordination with the other sides, and sufficiently considering and caring mutual concern, the divergences will be reduced and a common understanding will be agglomerated.The Chinese side will continue taking part in this course actively and working together with each side for a best way to solving the humanitarian concern caused by cluster munitions.

The Anti-vehicle landmine issue

In the past six years, States Parties exchanged views in CCW framework on addressing problems caused by AVL in a profound and comprehensive way, and many positive results have been achieved. Although consensus was not reached in the Third Review Conference of States Parties, this result could not become an obstacle for the international community to take earnest measures to resolve the AVL issue, and the work done by the CCW Group of Governmental Experts has provided a sound basis for addressing this issue. We believe that as long as all parties strictly abide by the relevant stipulations of the Amended Protocol II and adopt the constructive recommendations proposed in discussions of GGE based on their own situation, the AVL issued will be effectively addressed.

The Compliance Mechanism

China fully supports the decision adopted in the Third Review Conference on compliance mechanism. We are of the view that the mechanism is conducive to enhancing effectiveness of CCW and assuring earnest implementation of CCW and relevant protocols. According to relevant decision of CCW, China has decided recently to submit National Implementation Report to the Secretariat and lists of Chinese experts to the Expert Pool of CCW compliance mechanism.

The promotion of universality of CCW

China attaches importance to promoting universality of the Convention and is in favor of Plan of Action to Promote Universality of CCW adopted in the Third Review Conference, for this purpose, we have taken concrete actions, including donation of ten thousand dollars for the Sponsorship Programme to provide financial assistance for developing countries participating relevant conferences and activities of CCW.  What's more, a de-mining training courses hosted by China for 5 non-states parties, Angola, Burundi, Chad, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique formally began at the end of last month. We will take this opportunity to propagandize the importance of CCW and encourage the above countries to join the Convention and relevant protocols.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.