In recent years, the regional instability and humanitarian crisis fuelled by illicit trafficking and misuse of conventional arms, particularly small arms and light weapons, has become an issue of growing concern for the international community. China attaches great importance to this issue and supports the international community to take necessary measures to regulate international arms trade and combat illicit transfer and trafficking of arms.

Arms trade involves the national security, defense needs and economic interests of each country. China hopes that relevant countries could take into consideration the legitimate concerns of all countries, especially those of major countries engaged in arms trade. The Chinese Government has already submitted its position paper on the issue to the UN Secretary General in accordance with the relevant General Assembly resolution. China is ready to exchange views with other countries on the feasibility of an arms trade treaty. China has attended the first session of Group of Governmental Expert on the issue, and is ready to take part in the following-up work.