The statement came as Hu Xiaodi, the Chinese ambassador on disarmament, took the floor at the general debate of the First Committee of the 55th General Assembly session, which began in the United States Monday. The First Committee is in charge of disarmament and international security.

"Outer space is the common property of mankind, and the peaceful exploitation of outer space is the common aspiration of humanity," Hu said. "The prevention of an arms space and the prohibition of weapon systems in outer space will not only exempt outer space from wars, but also be crucial for maintaining the peace, security and stability on the Earth."

"Some people claim that there is no arms race in outer space at present," he said. "But what worries us is that certain country is trying to seek military superiority in outer space and strategic superiority on the Earth through outer space."

"Should this negative trend not be checked, there will be the weaponization of or even an arms race in outer space in the near future," he said.

The United States is now actively engaged in developing the missile defense systems, a move aimed at the weaponization of outer space, and the U.S. move has come under fire in the international community for its efforts to seek absolute military superiority.

"The significance of arms control is to prevent the emergence of weapon systems that may undermine the global stability and to prevent the arms race triggered by such weapon systems," he said.

On security, he said, "History tells us, security is both relative and mutual."

"One country can achieve security in its real sense only if it bases its own security on the common security of all countries," he said. "Nowadays, with frequent communications and closer ties between states, countries in the world increasingly share more common interest while facing more common challenges."

"Interdependence between states has reached an unprecedented level in depth and scope," he said. "Under such circumstances, attempts to seek so-called 'absolute superiority' for oneself at the expense of the security of others will definitely go nowhere and benefit nobody."

(Xinhua 10/03/2000)