(Beijing, June 25, 2024)

Your Excellency Ambassador De La Gasca, 1540 Committee Chair,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, I would like to welcome you to the fourth Training Course for UNSCR 1540 Points of Contact in the Asia-Pacific Region. This event is co-hosted by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the 1540 Committee and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).

Held on the 20th anniversary of the adoption of Resolution 1540, this training course is of special significance. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the 1540 Committee, the UNODA and the European Union for your strong support, and my heartfelt thanks to the Asia-Pacific countries and organizations attending this training course.

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, great transformations are accelerating across the world. The momentum of peace, development and win-win cooperation is unstoppable, and the overall trend toward a shared future for the international community will not change. Meanwhile, the international security landscape is increasingly complex and challenging. The Cold War mentality and double-standards continuously erode the international nonproliferation regime, efforts to counter the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) by non-state actors, especially terrorists, are confronted with new challenges, and developing countries still face many restrictions in the peaceful uses of science and technology.

Resolution 1540 is an important pillar of the international nonproliferation regime. Over the past 20 years, thanks to the joint efforts of the international community, we have deepened the political consensus on combating the proliferation activities of non-state actors, significantly strengthened the coordination and cooperation at both international and regional levels, and improved the nonproliferation export control mechanisms and capabilities of all member states. The 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts have conducted a great deal of productive work according to their mandates, which is fully recognized by the international community.

Dear Colleagues,

The international community should take the 20th anniversary of Resolution 1540 as an opportunity to take stock of our experience, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, promote the comprehensive, balanced and sustainable implementation of the Resolution, and advance the building of a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory nonproliferation export control order. To this end, the Chinese side wishes to table three propositions.

First, we should strengthen global security governance. The more turbulent and challenging our time is, the more necessary it is to uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. We should manage and control the increasingly diverse security risks with an effective governance system, and eliminate the breeding ground of insecurity with tangible development dividends. This is the fundamental way to solve the issue of proliferation, and the overall picture the international community needs to bear in mind when dealing with proliferation-related issues.

The existing international nonproliferation regime did not come by easily. We should firmly uphold the authority and effectiveness of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Biological Weapons Convention, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction and other international treaties, and see to it that the relevant international organizations and mechanisms play their roles in a fair and just manner. Proceeding from the common interests of the international community, we should faithfully fulfill our international obligations on nonproliferation, handle hotspot issues concerning nonproliferation in an objective and just manner, abandon such erroneous practices as abusing export control and illegal unilateral sanctions, and consolidate the foundation for nonproliferation cooperation.

Second, we should uphold true multilateralism. Nonproliferation is a global issue. Developing countries represented by the Non-Aligned Movement have been emphasizing that the best way to resolve proliferation concerns is to reach a universal, comprehensive and non-discriminatory agreement through multilateral consultation. This fully demonstrates the sense of a global community of security for all and the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit.

Facing the ever more diverse proliferation challenges, all countries should firmly uphold the international system with the U.N. at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, and bring to bear the role of the U.N. as the main platform for nonproliferation governance. The existing nonproliferation export control mechanisms should be responsive to the trend of the times, and take into account the views of developing countries on control standards and control lists. Governments of member states bear the primary responsibility for nonproliferation in each of their countries. In implementing Resolution 1540, the sovereignty of all countries must be fully respected, and support should be provided to all countries in formulating policies and independently strengthening institutional and capacity building in accordance with their national conditions.

Third, we should safeguard the lawful right to the peaceful uses of science and technology. Promoting the peaceful uses of science and technology through international cooperation is an inescapable international obligation, and what should be done to uphold the right to development of all countries. Given the new circumstances of our times, ensuring unimpeded access of all countries to the outcomes of science and technology for peaceful purposes, including in the fields of nuclear energy, biology, electronics, aerospace and aviation, and information and communications, is crucial to realizing the sustainable development goals.

China always advocates a balanced approach to development and security. While we need to take necessary nonproliferation and export control measures to safeguard international security, we should also fully consider the well-being of people of all countries, and not dismiss peaceful uses as a price we must pay. China calls on the international community to work together for the effective implementation of the U.N. General Assembly resolution entitled “Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security.” China will table this resolution again at the 79th UNGA Session this year, and we hope to have your active support.

Dear Colleagues,

China is a victim of biological and chemical weapons, and had been under the threat of nuclear weapons for a long time. China is firmly against the proliferation of WMDs and their means of delivery. This is a strategic decision China has made based on its own fundamental interests and the future of all humanity. It is consistent with China’s commitment to the path of peaceful development and to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

China attaches great importance to strengthening the international nonproliferation regime, and has included the relevant work in the Global Security Initiative Concept Paper. China will remain deeply involved in the multilateral nonproliferation processes including the implementation of Resolution 1540, actively promote the settlement of hotspot issues through political and diplomatic means, and provide public goods for the international community to the best of its capabilities. Following the principles of balanced rights and obligations, China is also ready to conduct dialogue and cooperation with the relevant countries and institutions.

China attaches great importance to strengthening its national nonproliferation regime and capacity building. In the upcoming discussions, my colleagues from the Ministry of Commerce,  General Administration of Customs, China Atomic Energy Authority and other departments will share China’s experience and practices with you.

Dear Colleagues,

The Points of Contact are entasked with the important job of internal communication and coordination, and external exchanges and cooperation. They are of vital importance to the implementation of Resolution 1540. I am delighted to see that, after nearly a decade’s joint work, the training course co-organized by China, the 1540 Committee and the UNODA has gradually become a well-established program for the implementation of the Resolution.

Over the past two decades since Resolution 1540 was adopted, member states and the relevant international organizations and mechanisms have all accumulated abundant experience. I hope that all participants will strengthen exchanges and mutual learning through this training course, and make new contributions to the international nonproliferation process.

To conclude, I wish this training course a full success and would like to express our appreciation to everybody for your kind support. 

Thank you.