On September 20, 2004, the Second Regional Meeting of National Authorities of Asian States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC) (commonly known as Chemical Weapons Convention, or CWC) was opened in Beijing. Around 130 delegates from 32 countries attended the meeting, at which Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Zhang Yesui delivered a keynote speech.

Zhang noted that after the new century has been ushered in, conflicts triggered by traditional security factors, such as religion and territory, have not dropped, while non-traditional security problems like terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are on the rise with each passing day, which combine to present severe challenges to mankind. As the first international legal instrument on comprehensively banning and thoroughly destructing a whole range of WMDs that has set up a strict verification mechanism, the convention is being implemented smoothly, which is of important realistic significance to international peace and security.

Zhang stressed that China has consistently supported the purposes and objectives of the convention, and honored strictly and sincerely its own obligations. China has formulated and implemented implementation-related legislations, established and improved Convention-implementing agencies across the country, submitted all types of declarations in time while ensuring the quality, and received successfully over 80 inspection tours. Facts have shown that the measures taken by China to implement the convention are strong and effective.

Zhang indicated that Asia is a region boasting the vastest territory and largest population in the world. Therefore exchanges and experience sharing by delegates to the meeting will surely be conducive to the comprehensive implementation of the convention in Asia and contribute to lasting peace and development of Asia and even the world at large.

Director General Rogelio Pfirter of the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) attended and addressed the opening ceremony. He emphasized that formulation of legislations by countries to implement the convention and promote the universality of the convention is an important part of the efforts to realize the purposes and objectives of the convention. He noted that this meeting will help the countries to learn from and help each other so as to jointly promote the effective implementation of the convention.

The Second Regional Meeting of National Authorities of Asian States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is jointly organized by the Chinese government and the OPCW. During the 3-day meeting, delegates will have in-depth discussions on a series of issues, such as implementation-related legislations, improvement of the quality of declarations, experience in receiving inspection tours, management of import and export of chemicals and international cooperation.