Chair,

Currently, the armed conflicts are frequent in international and regional level, and indiscriminate use and the illicit transfer of conventional weapons exacerbating regional tensions and social turmoil, raising humanitarian concerns. China firmly supports global conventional arms control process, and constructively participates in relevant mechanisms in this field. China has defined the work on conventional arms control as one of the key areas to implement the Global Security Initiative.

China strictly fulfills the obligations under the international legally binding instruments in conventional field such as Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons(CCW), Arms Trade Treaty(ATT) and Firearms Protocol and participates actively in the work related to the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, ITI, the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management and the UN Register of Conventional Arms. China has always been prudent and responsible in arms export matters.

China actively supports cooperation on international exchange and capacity building in relevant areas, and  implement “A New Agenda for Peace” and Silencing the Guns in Africa Initiative through the Peace and Security Sub-Fund of China-UN Peace and Development Trust Fund. China has carried out international humanitarian demining cooperation by providing assistance in kind, personnel training, sending experts, etc. and actively implements the “Action for a mine-free Africa” announced by President Xi Jinping in Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, committed to helping affected countries and regions overcoming the threats posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war at an early date, and achieving security, stability and sustainable development.

Chair,

China attaches great importance to the huge risks posed by the use of Artificial Intelligence in military domain, and advocates that countries should excise restraint in developing Artificial intelligence weapon system, ensuring the use of AI in military domain in compliance with international humanitarian law, and preventing the indiscriminate killing and injuring and malicious use of those weapon systems. All parties should seek common grounds on regulating the use of AI in the military domain through dialogue and cooperation, promote the building of a open, just and effective security governance mechanism, minimize risks to the greatest possible extent, and ensure the use of AI is safe, reliable and controllable. 

China is in the view that CCW is the most appropriate forum to discuss Lethal Autonomous Weapons System(LAWS), and supports the negotiation of an international legally binding instrument when the conditions are mature. Prior to this, we should seek consensus on the relevant working characterisations and the scope of the regulation. China welcomes the substantive discussions and progress made within the GGE on LAWS.

Chair,

Recently, President Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Governance Initiative, which highlighted once again China's commitment to safeguarding the UN Charter, promoting multilateralism and strengthening multilateral mechanisms. China will continue to participate actively in and make our contribution to all relevant mechanisms in the process of conventional arms control. To this end, China would like to propose the following:

Firstly, uphold sovereign equality and practice multilateralism. The equal right of all countries to participate in international conventional arms control process should be ensured, and the representation and voice of developing countries should be enhanced. We should support the UN 's role as the main channel, strengthen the universality and effectiveness of relevant mechanisms and enhance the synergy among them.

Secondly, adherence to the international rule of law and strengthen national responsibility. We should strike a balance between the legitimate military security needs and humanitarian concerns, and improve constantly international legal instruments on conventional arms control. Countries are encouraged to enhance their capacity to manage and control conventional arms in various fields and stages. In September 2024, China together with ICRC, France and some other countries jointly launched the Global High-Level Initiative on International Humanitarian Law, aimed to encourage the international community to reaffirm its firm commitment to international humanitarian law, strengthen collective efforts to uphold it, and contribute to the attainment of enduing peace. We welcome more countries to join this initiative. 

Thirdly, advocate people-centered and action-oriented approach. We advocate that countries conduct pragmatic international cooperation, and carry out more information and experience sharing on policy and law enforcement. Developed countries and capable developing countries are encouraged to provide more support in terms of assistance in kind, technology transfer and capacity building, etc.

Thank you Chair.