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)