UN-sponsored Forum Held in Beijing to Stave off Arms Race

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, April 03, 2002

UN-sponsored Forum Held in Beijing to Stave off Arms Race

An international conference on thedisarmament agenda for the 21st century opened in Beijing Tuesday. Sponsored by the United Nations and China's Foreign Ministry, the conference was attended by over 40 senior governmental officials and scholars from more than 20 countries.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

An international conference on thedisarmament agenda for the 21st century opened in Beijing Tuesday.

Sponsored by the United Nations and China's Foreign Ministry, the conference was attended by over 40 senior governmental officials and scholars from more than 20 countries.

Muitilatral cooperation to ensure security and fight terrorism

Addressing the opening ceremony, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said that in a world with increasing threats to security, interdependence between nations in dealing with this is continuously developing, and countries should all aim to maintain their security through cooperation, dialogue, mutual trust and development.

Under the present circumstances, it is vital to maintain the existing arms control regulations and push forward the arms control and disarmament process, Tang said, noting that seeking security through expanding unilateral military defenses will make a disastrous impact on strategic international stability.

In recent years, the threat of terrorism has increased, and preventing terrorist organizations from obtaining weapons of mass destruction has become a new challenge in international nonproliferation efforts, Tang said, stressing that the fundamental way to eliminate this threat is to establish a fair and reasonable new international order, step up international cooperation and improve international relations.

"It is an important task for the international community right now to give full play to the role of the U.N. and other international organizations, and establish a just, reasonable and effective multilateral non-proliferation system involving all countries," Tang stressed.

Peaceful exploration and utilization of outer space

Outer space belongs to all mankind, and all men want to peacefully explore it, Tang said, adding that advances in science and technology have made it possible to explore and utilize its resources for the benefit of mankind.

However, development of science and technology has also made itpossible to make outer space a new battlefield, Tang warned, saying that outer space is in danger of being weaponized, which will not only impede its peaceful utilization but have a serious negative impact on international security.

"The international community should negotiate and conclude at an early date legally binding international instruments to preventthe weaponization of and an arms race in the outer space," he suggested.

Tang added that as a developing country, China needs a peacefulinternational environment for its economic development, and is ready to work with other nations towards the safeguarding of international peace and security.

International disputes to be solved according to UN Charter

Under-Secretary-General Jayantha Dhanapala of the U.N. said in his opening remarks that the international disarmament process is at the crossroads, and the direction in which it chooses to go will significantly influence international peace and security.

The weapon-based security concept and unilateral action have hindered and undermined international efforts towards disarmament and nonproliferation, he said, adding that the international community should maintain the present multilateral mechanism of arms control and non-proliferation for world peace and security.

He called on the international community to solve internationaldisputes peacefully in line with the United Nations Charter and the Millennium Declaration.

He pointed out that nuclear powers once spent huge amounts on the nuclear arms race in the past but they should now promote nuclear disarmament.

He also said that to ensure that all mankind benefits from the exploration of outer space, the international community should make an all out effort to prevent a space arms' race.

Questions?Comments? Click here

China, United Nations to Hold Disarmament Forum

FM Spokesman: China Welcomes UN First Committee Adopting Resolution on ABM Treaty