Head of the Chinese delegation expounded China's stand on the Biological Weapons Convention at the fifth review conference which started Monday in Geneva.
Sha Zukang, Ambassador of China's Permanent Mission at Geneva, urged the international community to make joint efforts to formulate measures for strengthening the effectiveness of the Convention on the prohibition of Biological Weapons.
As the September 11 terror attacks showed that terrorism was the common threat of the international community, Sha said, pointed out that one of the most effective ways to combat it is to work within the multilateral framework and conclude through negotiations a reasonable, feasible and effective protocol on the basis of the existing mandate.
The Chinese Ambassador said that China is willing to make joint efforts with the international community for this end. "We welcome any proposals made by states parties within the multilateral framework to comprehensively strengthen the Convent."
However, Sha reaffirmed that "it is our view that no proposal should only benefit one while impairing the interests of other state parties, nor should it obstruct the applications and international cooperation in the civilian biological field."
She pointed out that once the victim of biological and chemical weapons, China is in favor of the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of biological and chemical weapons.
"China firmly opposes the proliferation of these types of weapons, by whatever means, to any country, entity or individual, " said Sha. "Based on this very position, the Chinese government attaches great importance to the Convention and has always abided strictly by its provisions in a serious and comprehensive manner."
(People's Daily November 19, 2001)
