The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zhao Lijian.

Photo by Xue Wei

  China News Agency, Beijing, May 18 (Reporter Liang Xiaohui) Regarding the protests by local people on the US military's shipment of biological warfare agents to South Korea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian sent more questions to the US at a regular press conference on the 18th.

  ——What is the real purpose of the US military's introduction of biological warfare agents to Busan?

What research was carried out after shipment?

How to prove that related activities comply with the provisions of the Biological Weapons Convention?

  ——Why did the US hide the truth?

In particular, why did it initially deny the construction of a military laboratory at Busan Port’s 8th pier, and was forced to admit it until the relevant project was exposed by the media in 2016?

Why did it claim in 2015 that it was the first time that a biological warfare agent was imported into South Korea, and then it was investigated to prove that it had been secretly imported into Korea as early as 2009?

  ——Why does the United States ignore the health and safety of local people, especially when there are 4 residential areas and multiple schools within a 500-meter radius of Busan Port’s 8th Pier? What if an accident occurs in such a densely populated area?

  Zhao Lijian emphasized that legality, transparency, and security are the common requirements of the international community for US biomilitarization activities.

We once again urge the United States to make comprehensive clarifications, take practical and credible actions to fully fulfill its obligations under the Biological Weapons Convention, and stop exclusive blocking of negotiations on the Convention’s verification protocol, so as to create conditions for resolving concerns and building mutual trust through verification.

(Finish)