China to push forward Arms Trade Treaty negotiations

BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China hopes to work with all parties concerned to push forward negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.

"China attaches great importance to the problems created by the illicit trade in conventional weapons," spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular press briefing.

He said China approves of effectively addressing these problems through rational and proper regulations on the arms trade.

The UN Final Conference on the ATT is being held at the UN Headquarters in New York City on March 18-28.

The ATT is expected to be a key tool in helping reduce problems caused by irresponsible international arms transfers and arms brokering.

"China has been actively participating in the negotiations on the treaty with a responsible and constructive attitude," said the spokesman.

He said China attaches great importance to the conference, and hopes to make joint efforts with all parties concerned to reach a consensus on a feasible and generally accepted treaty.

In December 2006, the UN General Assembly voted to begin working on a new treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons. The last round of negotiations on the ATT ended last July without an agreement.

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