China and Russia jointly submitted the draft Treaty on PPWT to the Conference on Disarmament

On 12 February 2008, China and Russia jointly submitted to the Conference on Disarmament (CD) the draft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects (PPWT) in its Plenary Session. The two countries proposed to conclude a new international legal instrument through negotiation to prevent the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space, and to preserve a peaceful and tranquil outer space.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov attended the meeting and made an introduction on the draft Treaty. Li Baodong, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, conveyed the written Message from Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to the CD.

In the written message, Yang Jiechi says that as the sole international body for conducting multilateral disarmament negotiations, the CD is charged with the important mission of promoting global arms control and disarmament. China attaches great importance to the CD and has actively participated in the discussions of all the items on its agenda, including "Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space".

Yang Jiechi points out that outer space has become an integral part of man's life and contributes to the well-being and social progress of all countries. Thanks to its unremitting efforts over the years, the international community has adopted a series of international legal instruments, contributing to the peaceful exploration and use of outer space.

Yang Jiechi stresses that a peaceful and tranquil outer space free from weaponization and arms race serves the common interests of all countries. It is therefore necessary for the international community to formulate new legal instruments to strengthen the current legal regime on outer space. The U.N. General Assembly has, for over twenty years, adopted resolutions with overwhelming majority, reiterating that the CD has the primary role in the negotiation of a multilateral agreement on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.

Yang Jiechi says, in view of the above, China and Russia had drafted the Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects. China hopes that the CD will start substantive discussion and reach consensus on it as soon as possible, China is ready to work with all the other members of the CD toward this goal. China also hopes that with the joint efforts of all its members, the CD will make positive progress in its work this year.

Lavrov stresses that the security of outer space is facing serious challenges. Russia urges members of the CD to start extensive discussions on the draft treaty jointly submitted by Russia and China, so as to promote and preserve the peace of outer space. Russia hopes that members of the CD continue their efforts to launch substantial work in the CD.

"Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space" has been one of the core issues on the agenda of the CD. From 1985 to 1994, the CD had established ad hoc committees and carried out in-depth discussions on all aspects of the issue. At present, to conclude an international legal instrument through negotiation to prevent the weaponization of outer space has gathered extensive recognitions from the international community. The draft Treaty, which is jointly submitted by Russia and China, is helpful to promote discuss ions of the CD on the issue of "Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space", so as to reach a consensus among international community on preserving the peace and security of outer space through negotiation and conclusion of a new international legal instrument.