Statement by the Chinese Delegation at the General Debate of the Fifth Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention

Mr. Chairman,

On behalf of the Chinese delegation, I would like to congratulate you on your election as the Chairperson of the Fifth Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Chinese delegation will fully support your work, and cooperate with the presidium and other delegations, to uphold the principle of consensus and promote positive outcomes for the Review Conference. I would also like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the work of the Open-ended Preparatory Working Group for the Conference. Our appreciation also goes to the Netherlands for the significant contribution to the work of the OPCW as the host country.

Mr. Chairman,

The world today is intertwined with turmoil and unrest, and the international community is facing unprecedented challenges. Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forward the Global Security Initiative, advocating the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and encouraging the international community to uphold the spirit of solidarity and a win-win mindset. The Initiative calls on all parties to join hands in improving global security governance, overcoming security challenges, eliminating the peace deficit and realizing durable peace and development in the world. Under the guidance of the Initiative, China will continue to deeply engage in the implementation and the review process of the Convention by practicing the true multilateralism, and firmly uphold the objectives and purposes of the Convention.

The Convention is one of the important pillars of the global security governance system, which plays a vital role in maintaining international peace and security, and promoting peaceful uses of science and technology in the field of chemistry. The Review Conference should evaluate the implementation of the Convention in a comprehensive and objective manner, recognizing achievements while facing problems directly, and formulate an overall plan for the next five years and beyond. China has submitted to the Review Conference its national implementation report, and three position papers on chemical weapons abandoned by Japan in China, international cooperation on peaceful uses of chemistry, and industry verification. I would like to further elaborate on China’s positions.        

First, we should adhere to the original aspiration of the Convention, and consistently pursue the vision of a world free of chemical weapons. Over the past 26 years, more than 99% of the world’s declared chemical weapons stockpiles have been destroyed, and 7 out of 8 Possessor States of chemical weapons stockpiles have fulfilled their obligations. It is expected that the destruction of the chemical weapons stockpiles will draw to an end this year, which will represent a milestone for the OPCW. We are hoping that the sole Possessor State could earnestly fulfill its obligations, and complete the destruction by the specified deadline this year.  

With the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles approaching completion, the chemical weapons abandoned by Japan in China (JACWs) becomes the most outstanding challenge in realizing the vision of a world free of chemical weapons. The past few years have witnessed some progress of the destruction of the JACWs. However, the overall progress still lags far behind the schedule. During the Review Conference, China will hold an exhibition to present a comprehensive introduction on the historical background of the JACWs and their realistic harms and threats. States Parties are welcome to participate in this event. One of the pictures in the exhibition shows a sharp contrast between the progress of the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles and of the JACWs. While more than 99% of the world’s chemical weapons stockpiles have been destroyed, less than one fifth of the currently-known JACWs were destroyed. Meanwhile, grave challenges to the destruction and excavation operation still exist, including the lack of burial information and clues, and the serious contamination to the soil and water caused by the JACWs.  

I would like to emphasize that, the destruction of the JACWs is by no means the “contribution” of Japan, but its historical responsibility and international obligation. The criteria for assessing Japan’s implementation of the Convention is not the inputs of human or financial resources, but the outcomes in terms of how many JACWs were destroyed, and how fast the destruction operation is progressing. China highly appreciates the efforts made by the international community and the OPCW to promote the destruction process. China hopes that the OPCW continue to maintain its inputs in the supervision and verification of the JACWs destruction. As long as the destruction of the JACWs is not completed, the vision of a world free of chemical weapons will not be realized, and the OPCW’s function as the inter-governmental arms control and disarmament institution should not be weakened.

Second, we should safeguard the authority of the Convention, and explore solutions to the settlement of hot spot issues. With the joint efforts of the international community, the United Nations Security Council and the OPCW adopted relevant resolutions successively in 2012, and made important progress in bringing Syria into joining the Convention and destroying its chemical weapons stockpiles. Regrettably, certain states have, for their own geopolitical consideration, pushed the Syrian chemical weapons issue and even the whole Middle East situation onto the wrong track.

As ancient Chinese philosopher observed, “The rule of selfish interests spells chaos while the rule of law brings good governance”. The Convention constitutes the basis and yardstick for dealing with hot spot issues related to chemical weapons. The root cause of the current situation is not that the Convention is outdated, but that it is politicized by the outdated Cold War mentality. Some countries ignored the clear stipulations of the Convention and its Verification Annex, circumvented the existing mechanisms and procedures such as the investigations of the alleged use of chemical weapons which has been established by consensus of the States Parties, and forced a vote on the establishment of the “Investigation and Identification Team” (IIT). They have made a series of investigation reports based on “evidences” which can not guarantee the completion of the chain of custody, and sought for so-called “attribution”. Such practices are undermining the Convention exactly in the name of safeguarding it. China is seriously concerned about it.

There is only one order in the world, which is the international order underpinned by international law. There is only one set of norms in the world, which is the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The recent interactions in the Middle East fully illustrate that pursuing peace and development is the trend of the world and the aspiration of the people, regional countries have the will and the ability to take the lead in promoting the regional peace and development. China calls on States Parties to take stock of the experience and lessons learned, make efforts to return to the right track of dialogue and consultation in accordance with the Convention, so as to create the favorable condition for resolving hot spot issues including Syrian chemical weapons issue, and safeguarding the regional and international peace and stability.

Third, we should promote the full and balanced implementation of the Convention, and inject more impetus to promoting peaceful uses of chemistry and relevant international cooperation. The right to development is an inalienable right of every country. Article XI of the Convention clearly stipulates that States Parties enjoy the right to peaceful uses of chemical science and technology, and bear the obligation to promote peaceful uses and international cooperation. The provisions shall be implemented in a manner that avoids hampering the economic or technological development of States Parties. The above-mentioned rights and obligations are equally important as those of non-proliferation and prohibition of chemical weapons.

In the 26 years since the entry into force of the Convention, with concerted efforts by States Parties and the Technical Secretariat, positive progress has been made in the implementation of Article XI. On the other hand, international cooperation on peaceful uses in the field of chemistry still faces severe challenges. The formulation of the plan of action for the implementation of Article XI advocated by developing countries has yet to be achieved. No new decisions on implementing Article XI have been adopted by the Conference since 2011. Certain countries have overstretched the concept of security for ideological and geopolitical purposes and abused export control measures, which have seriously undermined the peaceful uses and relevant international cooperation.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted for two consecutive years the resolutions on Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security, which stresses that the peaceful uses of science and technology are essential for sustainable development and that the right of all countries to the peaceful uses is inalienable under international law. It urges relevant countries to lift undue restrictions and encourages dialogue and cooperation. The Resolutions reflect the common position of the international community, especially of the developing countries. China calls on the Review Conference to align implementation of the above-mentioned Resolutions with that of Article XI, and to focus on resolving issues that have long been of concern to developing countries, giving higher priority to promote international cooperation on peaceful uses and development, and to take concrete and effective actions in this regard.

Fourth, we should uphold solidarity and cooperation, and preserve the principle of consensus. The OPCW, which shoulders the responsibility of improving security governance in the field of chemistry, is at a crucial point of transition and development. However, certain countries attempted to manipulate hot spot issues for political purposes, driving the OPCW into serious political confrontation, undermining the basis and consensus for dialogue and cooperation. Certain states extended the wrong practice of forcing votes to every area of the Convention. For instance, the draft decision of the budget for the OPCW was forced for vote for five consecutive years, the draft decision on the aerosolised use of Central Nervous System-acting chemicals (CNS) was also forced for vote. Technical issues which could have been solved by consensus were politicized. Even the personnel appointments related issues have also been put to vote. Moreover, the United States added the Chinese designated laboratory into its so-called Military End User List, which seriously obstructs the institution to fulfill its responsibilities in the framework of the OPCW.

Global governance in any field should uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and international organizations cannot run smoothly without dialogue, consultation and cooperation. China calls on States Parties to take the Review Conference as an opportunity to reject political manipulation, and make their best efforts to bring the OPCW back to the right track, so as to avoid further damage or even collapse of the international system on prohibiting chemical weapons. The final report of the Review Conference is a litmus test. Certain countries are claiming that a vote would be requested, which China is strongly opposed. We hope that all parties could show the greatest sincerity and make every effort to reach a consensus.

Fifthly, we should strike a balance between security and development, and optimize the industrial inspection regime. The scientific and technological advancements in the field of chemistry present new opportunities as well as challenges to the Article VI implementation. Broad consensus on improving the declaration and verification regime has been reached through previous discussions, which can become an important part of the outcome of this Review Conference.

China holds the following positions in this regard: sticking to the principle of not placing additional burdens on the industry and ensuring the balanced allocation of inspection resources; intensifying the research on the impact of scientific and technological advancements on scheduled chemicals, and continuing to amend relevant criteria and technical guidelines of the Declaration Handbook; authorizing the Industry Cluster to carry out further discussion on resolving problems such as the inspection backlog and the OCPF inspection “tipping point” .

Mr. Chairman,

As a founding State Party to the Convention and the second largest contributor to the budget of the OPCW, China has always been strictly fulfilling its obligations and actively participating in the work of the OPCW. From 2018 to 2022, China has contributed a total of over 39 million euros in the regular budget and provided the strongest support to the operation of the OPCW. As the State Party with the largest scale of chemical industry and the largest number of declared facilities, China has received 621 on-site industrial inspections in total, which ranks the first in the world.

China has always resolutely opposed the research, development or use of chemical weapons by any country, any organization or any individual under any circumstance. China has taken an objective and impartial stance on hot spot issues related to chemical weapons and stayed committed to promoting their resolution through political and diplomatic means. In the China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis released in February 2023, China reaffirmed its opposition to the research, development and use of chemical and biological weapons. On numerous occasions in the United Nations Security Council, Conference of the States Parties and Executive Council of the OPCW, China has reiterated its position on the situation in Ukraine and issues related to the chemical weapons, emphasized that all parties should strictly abide by the Convention, not to add fuel to the fire or to intensify the situation, and encouraged parties concerned to properly handle relevant issues through dialogue and consultation.

China is committed to the full and effective implementation of Article XI, and actively carries out bilateral and multilateral cooperation in promoting peaceful uses in the field of chemistry. China supports the Centre for Chemistry and Technology (ChemTech Center) in playing an important role in international cooperation, and highly appreciates the significant contributions by the Technical Secretariat, in particular by Director-General, and the Government of the Netherlands. China will continue to support the ChemTech Center by providing financial and human resources, including supporting the activities such as the Fellowship Programme and the Laboratory Training Course for Customs Services Chemists.

Mr. Chairman,

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has formulated Chinese national development strategy for the next five years and even beyond. The Congress has declared to follow the Chinese path to modernization, which strives to safeguard world peace and development as China pursues its own development, and to make greater contributions to world peace and development through its own development. At the new starting point, China is willing to join hand in hand with all parties to improve the global governance on arms control and non-proliferation, and make relentless efforts towards the realization of the vision of a world free of chemical weapons at an early date.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.