China's Ambassador on Disarmament Affairs told an international
conference in Geneva on Thursday that, faced with various security
challenges, the international community should safeguard and
strengthen multilateral arms control and its disarmament legal
system.
"The Convention on the Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use
of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed to be
Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects is an
organic component of multilateral arms control and the disarmament
legal system," said Hu Xiaodi.
Compared with other arms control treaties, the convention bears
distinct humanitarian characteristics, he said, by relieving
disaster brought by wars and armed conflicts, and addressing
humanitarian concerns through appropriately regulating and
restricting the use of certain conventional weapons.
Hu added that the convention was a model of multilateralism and
had all along maintained its vitality since it came into force 25
years ago.
"The purposes and objectives of the convention have been more
universally recognized, and its universality and effectiveness have
been increasingly strengthened," said Hu.
As for the issue of compliance, Hu said discussions to date have
been fruitful and conducive to understanding.
"The way ahead becomes clearer in spite of the fact that a
consensus has not been reached. A Chinese delegation is ready to
continue work with a constructive attitude," he said.
He emphasized that China had all along attached great importance
to all work in support of the convention and faithful
implementation of its obligations, and had made constructive
contributions to its implementation and improvement.
"Since the ratification of the Amended Landmine Protocol in
1998, China has been earnestly fulfilling its obligations under the
Protocol," he said.
"In the 1990s, China conducted two large-scale demining
operations in its border areas, basically eliminating landmine
problems within its borders. After the demarcation of the land
border between China and Vietnam, to assist relevant work
concerning border surveys and mark erecting, the Chinese army
launched a new operation to clear mines in former disputed areas
that have been demarcated as Chinese," Hu said.
China has also been actively participating in international
demining assistance operations, he added.
"In September 2005, the government launched a program of
demining assistance to Thailand. This mainly includes training Thai
personnel and donating equipment. At present, China is preparing to
provide demining assistance to Lebanon," said Hu.
Exploring new approaches to push forward the international
demining process, he said China has also kept close contact with
non-governmental organizations, such as International Campaign to
Ban Landmines, Geneva International Center for Humanitarian
Demining and International Red Cross.
(Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2005)