Liu Jieyi, director general of the Department of Arms Control
and Disarmament of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, shares China's stance on arms control and
non-proliferation with?Beijing Review?reporter
Ding Ying.
Beijing Review: What do you
see as the major threats and challenges in today's international
security arena? How should the international community cope with
them?
Liu Jieyi: In the new century, the
international security situation remains stable on the whole.
However, uncertain and unpredictable factors are on the rise.
Dangers and challenges still linger on, mainly in the following
three aspects:
First, terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
(WMDs), transnational crimes, epidemics and other non-traditional
threats have shown an upward trend.
Second, disputes and armed conflicts in some regions over
ethnic, religious, territorial and other issues, and disregard for
international law continue to occur. Traditional security problems
still pose a threat to world peace, stability and development.
Third, hunger, poverty and social injustice compound factors
affecting regional and global security and stability.
Given the complexity of the international security situation,
international efforts should be focused in the following areas:
? To refrain from seeking security advantages with military
might. Countries should abide by principles and objectives embodied
in the United Nations Charter and other international law, and
should foster a new security concept with mutual trust, mutual
benefit, equality and cooperation at its core.
? To strengthen multilateral cooperation and the leading role of
the UN in safeguarding world peace and security.
? To consolidate the international treaty regime on arms
control, disarmament and non-proliferation, push forward the
ongoing process of multilateral arms control, disarmament and
non-proliferation, and further improve the international
non-proliferation regime.
? To adopt effective measures to help low-income developing
countries to revitalize their economies, rid themselves of poverty,
and jointly address such problems as transnational crimes and
epidemics.
Can you brief us on China's main efforts?in
2004?in the field of arms control, disarmament and
non-proliferation? What are China's priorities in
2005?
We made great efforts in non-proliferation. With the aim of
strengthening the construction of our export control system, we
instituted an inter-agency coordination mechanism to deal with
emergent export-control-related cases. Law enforcement was further
tightened in this field with the publication of some cases
involving penalties on illegal exports. We have been steadily
expanding our relations with the relevant multilateral export
control regimes. We joined the Nuclear Suppliers' Group and applied
for membership of the Missile Technology Control Regime. We
conducted dialogue with the Australia Group and the Wassenaar
Arrangement. In addition, we were active in participating in
international exchanges and cooperation in the field of
non-proliferation law enforcement. We held consultations on
non-proliferation and export control with the United States, the
United Kingdom and the EU. The Sino-EU Joint Declaration on
Non-proliferation and Arms Control was issued. We participated
constructively in the consultations of the UN Security Council
Resolution 1540 and were among the earliest countries to submit a
comprehensive national report on its implementation.
We maintained dialogues and consultations on security and arms
control issues with the United States, the Russian Federation, the
United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and the Republic of Korea,
etc., which served to enhance mutual trust and understanding.
China has been an active player in multilateral arms control
affairs. We played a constructive role in international arms
control conferences and meetings, such as the First Committee of
the UN General Assembly, the Conference on Disarmament, the Third
Preparatory Committee for the 2005 Review Conference of the Treaty
on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Meeting of States
Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention, and in the
discussions on missiles, small arms and light weapons.
We earnestly fulfilled our obligations under international arms
control treaties. We continued to push forward the preparatory work
for implementing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, the Protocol on
Explosive Remnants of War and the Firearms Protocol. We fulfilled
all obligations set forth in the Chemical Weapons Convention,
receiving 14 inspections by the Organization for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons. We submitted national reports on implementation
of the Biological Weapons Convention and the Convention on Certain
Conventional Weapons in conformity with their requirements.
We also sponsored a number of international meetings in China,
such as the Humanitarian Mine/UXO Clearance Technology and
Cooperation Workshop, the Fifth Sino-US Conference on Arms Control,
Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, the Second Regional Meeting of
National Authorities of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons
Convention in Asia.
Looking ahead, we will intensify our efforts in the field of
non-proliferation. We will bring into full play the Inter-agency
Coordination Mechanism on Emergent Export-Control-Related Cases,
strengthen law enforcement and further expand our relations with
multilateral export control regimes. We will participate in
multilateral arms control work with a more accommodating and open
approach, and continue to earnestly fulfill our obligations under
international arms control treaties. We will also further enhance
dialogue and cooperation with other countries in the field of
security and arms control.
We have recently seen regional nuclear issues cropping
up and nuclear black market exposed. Are there any ways, in your
view, to strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation
regime so as to make it adapt to the new developments?
To prevent the proliferation of WMDs and their means of delivery
is in the interest of the international community. Under the new
situation, the nuclear non-proliferation regime should be enhanced
in following aspects:
First, to give primacy to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons, which constitutes the cornerstone of the
non-proliferation regime. While fulfilling the Treaty obligations,
countries should strive to promote its universality.
Second, to bring into full play the leading role of the
International Atomic Energy Agency in nuclear non-proliferation.
Efforts should be made to encourage more countries to sign and
ratify the Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement.
Third, to strengthen the nuclear export control regime so as to
plug the loopholes in international nuclear non-proliferation. The
control lists and guidelines of the Zangger Committee and the
Nuclear Suppliers' Group should be amended accordingly so as to
enhance their effectiveness.
Fourth, to ensure the full implementation of the UN Security
Council Resolution 1540, with a view to properly addressing the
issue of illicit trafficking of WMDs and their means of delivery
and related materials by non-state actors.
Fifth, to enhance multilateral efforts to prevent nuclear
proliferation. With regard to regional nuclear proliferation
issues, countries should seek appropriate solutions through
dialogue and cooperation. They should also engage in extensive
dialogue and communications with other countries on information
exchange, national legislation and law enforcement, thereby
strengthening the effectiveness of their export control
systems.
Sixth, to deal with the relations between nuclear
non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy in a balanced
way. Countries should respect each country's right of peaceful uses
of nuclear energy under strict safeguards, and seek the broadest
understanding and support of the international community.
In 2004, China joined the Nuclear Suppliers' Group and
expressed its willingness to join the Missile Technology Control
Regime. Could you elaborate on China's considerations behind these
moves? What other steps else will China take in the field of
non-proliferation export control?
To exercise strict and effective management on materials,
equipment and technologies that could be used for developing WMDs
and their means of delivery is an important part of China's efforts
to observe its international non-proliferation obligation. It is in
the interest of the entire international community.
In recent years, the Chinese Government has worked hard to
improve and strengthen its non-proliferation legislation according
to the principle of rule of law. It has formulated and enforced a
series of laws and regulations, which form a comprehensive export
control legal system. Its practices in this regard are fully in
line with international standards.
We have attached great importance to and taken an active part in
international non-proliferation cooperation and exchanges. While
formulating our own export control regulations, we have drawn upon
the experience and practice of the relevant multilateral export
control regimes, including the Nuclear Suppliers' Group and the
Missile Technology Control Regime. Our principles guiding export
control and practice are in line with those of the above regimes.
China joined the Nuclear Suppliers' Group and expressed its
willingness to join the Missile Technology Control Regime. These
are logical steps, demonstrating China's firm political will on the
international non-proliferation.
The Chinese Government will continue to strengthen its
non-proliferation and export control systems and intensify its
law-enforcement efforts, so as to ensure effective implementation
of the relevant laws and regulations. We will continue the outreach
programs to raise the awareness of enterprises and entities, and
help them establish in-house self-disciplinary export control
mechanisms and best practices. We will actively participate in the
work of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group. We will continue our dialogue
and exchange with other countries and related export control
regimes, such as the Australian Group and the Wassenaar
Arrangement.
What is your perspective on the nuclear issues on the
Korean Peninsula and in Iran?
It's the common understanding of the international community
that to properly solve these two issues through political and
diplomatic means contributes to regional and world peace and
stability, and serves the common interests of the international
community.
At present, these issues remain on the track of peaceful
resolution. The way forward is difficult and contingent on many
factors, but the future is hopeful.
China maintains that the Korean Peninsula should be nuclear
weapon free, that the nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully
and that peace and stability on the peninsula should be maintained.
Three rounds of six-party talks and the working group meetings have
led to a series of results. The task at hand is to convene the
fourth round of talks at an early date and make substantive
progress.
Given the complexity of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, it
is not realistic to expect a solution in a couple of rounds of
talks. If all parties continue to commit themselves to the
six-party talks process to enhance mutual trust and properly
resolve the disputes, we are confident that the goal of
denuclearization of, and peace and stability on Korean Peninsula
will be achieved.
The Iranian nuclear issue should be addressed properly through
negotiations. China welcomes the agreement reached between Iran and
three EU countries. We hope to see progress in their negotiations
on long-term arrangements. China will, together with other members
of the international community, continue to play a constructive
role in facilitating a proper resolution of the issue within the
framework of the IAEA at an early date.
What's your assessment of the current status of the
multilateral arms control? How should the multilateral arms control
process be advanced?
The implementation of multilateral arms control and disarmament
treaties is, on the whole, in fairly good shape. Multilateral
efforts aimed at strengthening the universality and effectiveness
of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological Weapons
Convention have paid off. On humanitarian arms control issues,
quite some positive achievements have been registered. Upon
conclusion of the Firearms Protocol and the Explosive Remnants of
War Protocol, negotiation has been initiated on an International
Instrument on Identification and Tracing of Illicit Small Arms and
Light Weapons.
However, there are difficulties and challenges. The Conference
on Disarmament has not been able to conduct substantive work for
eight years. The United Nations Disarmament Commission has also
encountered difficulty in its work.
The international community should firmly uphold multilateralism
and advance the multilateral arms control process.
First, the international arms control system, as a major
component of the global security order, should be maintained. The
international community should work together to strengthen the
effectiveness and universality of existing arms control
treaties.
Second, the Conference on Disarmament should be revitalized.
This will require it to work out a comprehensive and balanced
program of work, taking into account different concerns, and to
start work as soon as possible on nuclear disarmament, a Fissile
Material Cut-off Treaty, prevention of an arms race in outer space
and security assurances for non-nuclear weapon states. Various new
non-proliferation initiatives need to be addressed in a
constructive manner.
Third, the international arms control mechanisms such as the
First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly should
function better through reforms so as to effectively promote
multilateralism and the sound development of arms control.
After successfully launching the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft,
China is planning to launch the Shenzhou 6 spacecraft in 2005. Does
this suggest any change in China's policy on the prevention of an
arms race in outer space?
China always stands for the peaceful use of outer space and
opposes the weaponization of and arms race in outer space. To this
end, the international community should take effective preventive
measures, including negotiating and concluding relevant
international legal instruments, to prohibit the deployment of
weapons in outer space and the use of force against objectives in
outer space so as to ensure that the outer space is used completely
for peaceful purposes. Peace and security in outer space are in the
interests of all states, including those with high stakes in
peaceful use of outer space.
The objective of advocating the prevention of weaponization of
and an arms race in outer space is to maintain peace and security
in outer space and enhance the capacity of human kind in exploring
and utilizing outer space in a favorable environment. We support
other countries' efforts to use outer space for peaceful
purposes.
In recent years, China has made headways in the peaceful use of
outer space. The launching of the Shenzhou 5 manned
spacecraft?in 2003?was an important part of international
efforts in exploring outer space. We will continue to work toward
making outer space better serve the interests and well-being of
mankind.
China is not a party to the Ottawa Convention. Recently,
you led the Chinese observer delegation to the Nairobi Summit on a
Mine-Free World. Could you share with us China's position on the
landmine issue?
China has all along supported international humanitarian efforts
aimed at resolving the problem of indiscriminate injuries to
civilians caused by landmines.
China acceded to the Amended Landmine Protocol to the Convention
on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) in 1998. Since then, it has
strictly fulfilled its obligation in all its aspects so as to
prevent civilian casualties caused by landmines. Having basically
eliminated landmine problems along its border, China has in recent
years contributed to mine actions in around 10 countries in Asia
and Africa by providing de-mining assistance in various forms.
Though China is not a party to the Ottawa Convention, it
endorses the convention's purposes and objectives. China's observer
delegation attended the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World, the
First Review Conference of the Ottawa Convention.
We will continue to enhance cooperation with the international
community and actively participate in international de-mining
endeavors.
(Beijing
Review January 2, 2005)