Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said yesterday China's signing of a protocol on the crackdown of illegal firearms has demonstrated the nation's determination to join the international fight against the scourge.

"The signing of the protocol has once again proven that the Chinese Government is committed to enhanced international co-operation for a joint crackdown on illicit manufacturing and trafficking of small arms," said Liu at a regular briefing.

He added the signing, which took place on Monday in the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, will also contribute to China's domestic management of the manufacturing, storage, usage and transfer of these weapons.

Small arms refer mainly to pistols, submachine guns, grenades and portable anti-aircraft missile systems. The Protocol Against the Illicit Manufacturing of, and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, reached in March last year, is a supplement to the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime.

Liu said China has participated in the negotiations of the protocol in a "constructive" manner and has made "positive" contributions to the protocol.

The spokesman announced yesterday that US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage will begin his visit to China today.

He will hold talks with Chinese leaders and officials from the Foreign Ministry on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common concern.

Liu also said China and the US will soon hold their third consultation on anti-terrorism, although he did not give an exact date.

(China Daily December 11, 2002)