Xinhua News Agency, Geneva, August 18th. From 17 to 21, the Sixth Conference of the States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty was held in writing due to the new crown epidemic. For the first time, China attended the meeting as a State party and submitted a written statement.
On the 17th, Chinese Disarmament Ambassador Li Song had a phone conversation with the Chairman of the Assembly of States Parties, Villegas, Permanent Representative of Argentina to Geneva, and De La Della, head of the Treaty Secretariat. Li Song said that China attaches great importance to humanitarian issues caused by conventional weapons, and adopts a cautious and responsible attitude towards military exports and implements strict management. China actively supports the international community in taking necessary measures to regulate the international arms trade and combat illegal arms transfers. China participated in the "Arms Trade Treaty" negotiations throughout the process, and played a constructive role in the conclusion of the treaty. After the treaty entered into force, it actively participated in the previous conferences of States parties as an observer. China deposited its instrument of accession with UN Secretary-General Guterres on July 6 this year, opening a new chapter in its relationship with the treaty. This is an important measure taken by China to actively participate in the governance of global arms trade and maintain international and regional peace. It further demonstrates China's determination and sincerity to support multilateralism and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Villegas and De Ladella warmly welcomed China’s participation as a signatory party for the first time, and emphasized that China’s accession is an important milestone in the development of the treaty, which is of great significance to boosting the international community’s confidence in the Arms Trade Treaty and promoting the universality of the treaty. , Looking forward to China's full participation in international exchanges and cooperation under the framework of the treaty, support the establishment of treaty mechanisms, share China's experience, and further promote the multilateral arms control process.
In its written statement, China put forward three propositions on further strengthening the Arms Trade Treaty: one is to continue to improve the universality and effectiveness of the treaty, and to actively carry out international cooperation and assistance; the other is to strengthen the interaction and coordination of the conventional arms control mechanism within the UN framework , Actively supports the United Nations in playing a central role in conventional arms control; the third is to further strengthen the concept of responsible arms trade, calling on countries not to sell weapons to non-state actors and stop interfering in the internal affairs of sovereign countries through arms sales. As an active builder of world peace and a staunch defender of the international order, China will work hand in hand with all parties to build a standardized and reasonable arms trade order and make greater contributions to the maintenance of international and regional peace and stability.