Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese Delegation welcomes you presiding over this session of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), and will fully cooperate with you in fulfilling your responsibility.

The Chinese Government attaches importance to the humanitarian concerns related to cluster munitions. China has never used cluster munitions in military operations. It also takes a highly responsible attitude in the transfer of such weapons. In recent years, China has actively taken part in the international efforts to address the issue of cluster munitions, and constructively participated in relevant discussions in the framework of the CCW. We hope that the CCW process on cluster munitions will be further promoted in expanding common ground among parties.

Currently, a number of proposals aimed at resolving the issue of cluster munitions have been put forward, which are worth further studying. Particularly, at the first session of the GGE in last January, all parties had useful discussions on relevant issues. This represents a good start of the work of the GGE. We hope that all parties can continue to carry out frank and in-depth exchange of views in the spirit of "seeking common ground while reserving differences", adhere to the principle of balancing military needs and humanitarian concerns, fully take into account different situations of various parties in economic, technological and security terms, and accommodate each others' concerns, eventually reach a realistic and feasible solution of the issue of cluster munitions which can gain universal support.

Mr. Chairman,

Victim assistance is an important part of the solution of the humanitarian problems related to cluster munitions. China believes that the GGE should strengthen efforts on this aspect, in particular, formulate concrete measures regarding medical treatment, psychological rehabilitation, and social reintegration of the victims of cluster munitions, as well as relevant international cooperation. China is willing to carry out in-depth discussion with all parties on this issue.

Mr. Chairman,

China will fully cooperate with all parties as always in making due contribution to promoting relevant work in the framework of the CCW, and achieving a proper solution to the humanitarian concerns related to cluster munitions at an early date.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.