Mr. Chairman,

At the outset, please allow me to congratulate you on your election to the chairmanship of the Third Biennial Meeting of States on Small Arms and Light Weapons (BMS3). We are confident that you will surely guide this meeting to a success. The Chinese delegation would like to assure you and other delegations of its full cooperation for the success of the meeting.

Mr. Chairman,

In recent years, great achievements have been made by States in implementing the UN Programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in SALW (PoA) and the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (ITI). At the same time, we should also recognize that due to the lack of funding, technologies and human resources, many developing countries are still facing difficulties in implementing the PoA and ITI. Therefore, it is of great significance for the comprehensive and effective implementation of the PoA and ITI, to earnestly strengthen relevant international cooperation and assistance in promoting capacity building of states concerned.

China believes that strengthening of international cooperation and assistance should be the priority for the international community in the next phase of SALW process. Efforts should be made in the following areas:

Firstly, exchanges and dialogues among states should be enhanced. States should make full use of relevant UN conferences, regional seminars, bilateral consultations and other opportunities to exchange best practices and experiences and learn from each other in such fields as legislation, law enforcement and personnel training. Meanwhile, states should work together to identify the problems and challenges in the implementation of the PoA and ITI, explore effective solutions, and define areas of priority in promoting international cooperation and assistance.

Secondly, specific assistance programs for developing countries should be increased. Developed countries should take their responsibilities to provide funds, technologies and other specific programs in such fields as personnel training, in accordance with the specific situations and needs of the recipient states to combat the illicit trade in SALW. States should try to adopt long-term assistance planning, and regularly assess the implementation of such assistance to improve the pertinence and effectiveness of relevant programs.

Thirdly, the United Nations should duly play its role of coordination and organization to promote the development of international cooperation and assistance in a smooth, effective and orderly way. China fully supports the efforts made by the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs to establish the Programme of Action Implementation Support System, and hopes that this database can provide an effective platform of information exchange on the "supply & demand" of international cooperation and assistance among States, to facilitate relevant cooperation programs. Furthermore, INTERPOL and other relevant international and regional organizations can also play a positive role in promoting international cooperation and assistance in SALW.

Mr. Chairman,

China always actively supports and participates in the international cooperation and assistance to combat the illicit trade in SALW. China has shared its policies, measures and experiences in combating the illicit trade in SALW with other states in relevant UN conferences and other international and regional seminars. In 2005, China, along with the United Nations, Japan and Switzerland, co-sponsored an international workshop on SALW. In 2003 and 2005, China provided donations to the Trust Fund for the UN Disarmament Information Programme and the Organization of American States, earmarked for their efforts to address SALW problems. China has always actively participated in efforts to combat the illicit trade in SALW within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. China also honors its commitment in the Beijing Action Plan, adopted at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2006, to continued support for and participation in efforts to combat the illicit trade in SALW in Africa, and to provide financial and material assistance and related training within its capacity.

Mr. Chairman,

The illicit trade in SALW is a common challenge for the international community. Only if States work together and earnestly strengthen international cooperation and assistance to promote national capacity and mechanism building, can the PoA and ITI be effectively implemented and the threat posed by the illicit trade in SALW be addressed. China will continue its unremitting efforts along with the international community to promote international efforts in combating the illicit trade in SALW, maintain peace and stability in the states and regions concerned, and advance the well being of all peoples.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.