Mr Chairman,

Please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese delegation, to begin by welcoming you back to the Chair of the Executive Council.  The Chinese delegation hopes that you will make full use of your diplomatic experience and skills to improve the work and the atmosphere of the Council, preserve the tradition of consensus and bring this session to a successful conclusion. The Chinese delegation will actively support you in your work.

The Chinese delegation has carefully listened to the statement made by the Director-General and the reports by the Vice-Chairpersons of the Council. China associates itself with the statement made by H.E. Ambassador Rahman Mustafayev of Azerbaijan on behalf of the States Parties of the Non-Aligned Movement and China. Now, please allow me to elaborate on China’s positions further.

At present, the centennial changes are evolving at an accelerated pace. Regional security hotspots keep flaring up and local conflicts and turbulences occur frequently. And global strategic balance and stability are facing severe challenges. Against this background, China released The Global Security Initiative Concept Paper which calls upon all nations to keep to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security; practice true multilateralism; firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law; and stay committed to resolving differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation. The aforementioned initiative by China also applies to the work of the OPCW. This year, we will hold the Fifth Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention (hereinafter referred to as the “Convention”). All parties should take it as an opportunity to promote multilateralism, strengthen dialogue and communication, improve the politicized atmosphere, and return to the tradition of consensus. China would like to present the following propositions:

Firstly, we should be resolute in ensuring that the Convention plays its role in chemical demilitarisation, and in speeding up the destruction of chemical weapons. The complete and thorough destruction of CWs constitutes the core object of the Convention, and exerts an significant impact on the building of “a world free from chemical weapons”. China has noted the progress made in the destruction of CW stockpiles in recent years and urges the sole possessor State to complete the destruction at an early date. At present, the importance and urgency of the destruction of the abandoned chemical weapons by Japan on the territory of China has become more prominent. With Japan failing to meet the deadline for a fourth time, it is still unknown when the destruction will finally be completed. China is deeply concerned over this situation, and urges Japan to increase its inputs, implement the new destruction plan in a comprehensive, complete, and faithful manner, provide information regarding the buried sites and solve the problem of the contaminated soil as soon as possible. As always, China will provide necessary assistance. China will submit Position Paper of the People’s of Republic of China on the Chemical Weapons Abandoned by Japan in China to the Fifth Review Conference in the near future, to fully explain the historical background, current hazards, challenges and China’s position on the relevant issue.

Secondly, we should firmly preserve the authority and effectiveness of the Convention and promote the resolution of differences through dialogue and consultation. In the recent years, the OPCW has been highly politicized. For geopolitical purposes, some states forced a vote on the adoption of the decision on “Addressing the Threat from Chemical Weapons Use” and the establishment of the “Investigation and Identification Team”. Both the decision and the mechanism exceed the mandate of the Convention and undermine its authority and effectiveness. China believes that the investigation of the alleged use of chemical weapons should be carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Convention and in an objective and impartial manner. Before the truth is found out, states should refrain from making unfounded accusations, presuming guilt, and intensifying tension, and should instead strive to solve differences through consultation and dialogue.

Thirdly, we should consistently promote the common development of all nations and advancing international cooperation in the field of peaceful uses. China calls on all parties to implement fully the resolution on “Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security” adopted by the UNGA, while, in the framework of the Convention, carrying out extensive cooperation, promoting the peaceful use of chemistry and enhancing the capacity of all states for the implementation of the Convention and the protection against chemical weapons. As the ChemTech Centre is about to be put into operation, China encourages the Technical Secretariat to prepare a sound plan for its use, and looks forward to its active role played in the capacity-building of the States Parties. Meanwhile, China notes with concern that some States Parties abuse the concept of “national security” and the export control measures and impose unilateral sanctions, which is in contradiction with the provisions and the spirit of the Convention. China is of the opinion that security and development should be promoted in an coordinated way, while ensuring that the States Parties fully enjoy the legitimate rights for the peaceful uses.

Fourthly, we should adhere firmly to the original intention of “a world free of chemical weapons”, and plan for the future of the Convention. As the preparations for the Fifth Review Conference is progressing orderly, China calls on all parties to play a constructive role in the process. On the basis of upholding the purposes and objectives of the Convention, all should work to forge consensus, properly handle disputes and draw up a truly effective strategic plan for the future of the Convention and the OPCW through consensus, so as to contribute positively to safeguarding global peace and security. The Chinese delegation expects the Bureau of the OEWG to continue to fulfil its responsibilities and conduct its work in an open, transparent and inclusive manner, in an effort to achieve positive outcomes at the  Fifth Review Conference.

The Chinese delegation requests that this statement be circulated as an official document of this session and published on the OPCW’s public website and external server.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.