| Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi, Head of the Chinese Delegation, at the Seventh Session of the Group of Governmental Experts of the States Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons(8 March 2004, Geneva) |
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| 2004/04/16 |
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Mr. Chairman,
At the outset, please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese delegation, to congratulate you on your assumption of the chairmanship of the Meeting of the Group of the Governmental Experts (GGE) of the States Parties to the CCW this year. And I also congratulate Amb. Jayant Prasad and Amb. Markku Reimaa on their respective elections as the coordinators of the issues of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and Mines Other Than Anti-Personnel Mines (also known as Anti-Vehicle Landmines, AVL). I'm convinced that your diplomatic skill and experience will guide the meeting in right direction.
This year is the third working year of the GGE. During the past two years, the GGE has achieved positive outcome through its earnest, in-depth and pragmatic work on ERW and AVL. The conclusion of the ERW Protocol demonstrates that the states parties share the common objective and solid foundation of cooperation on humanitarian issues.
Mr. Chairman,
With regard to the ERW issue, we have concluded the ERW Protocol by the end of last year. The Protocol provides a necessary legal framework for solving the humanitarian problems caused by ERW. As stated before, the Protocol is not fully satisfactory. For example, it could have imposed more clear-cut and stringent obligations on the user of explosive ordnance that becomes ERW. However, the Protocol is the product of consultation and cooperation among the states parties in the spirit of humanitarianism, and a balanced reflection of the result of the two years' negotiation.
According to this year's mandate, the GGE will continue its discussions on technical improvement of specific types of munitions, including sub-munitions, particularly at the military and technical expert level. Last two years' discussions have shown that countries have divergent views on this issue and most countries are faced with various financial and technical difficulties in this field, so it is premature to adopt any mandatory measures at this stage. The ERW Protocol has incorporated "best practices" on "general preventive measures" aimed at improving the reliability of munitions, which will, to some extent, be conducive to reducing the occurrence of ERW. Therefore, China believes that the pressing task at this moment is to attract more countries to sign up the ERW Protocol and promote its early entry into force. Having said that, China has no objection to continued discussion on the technical improvement of sub-munitions according to the mandate. The Chinese experts are ready to participate in related discussions.
Mr. Chairman,
As for the AVL issue, China's position has always been clear, i.e. to address this issue, we should strike a right balance between humanitarian concerns and states' legitimate military needs, and take into account of the difference among countries in terms of economic and technological capability. China's opposition to negotiating an AVL Protocol is due to the following three reasons: First, the Amended Landmine Protocol has incorporated appropriate restrictions on the use of AVL, which, if fully implemented, would be sufficient to effectively alleviated the humanitarian problems arising from AVL. Secondly, constrained by its current technical and technological capabilities, China cannot meet the proposed parameter on detectability, self-destruction and self-deactivation in a short term. Thirdly, China cannot afford to put large amount of financial resources into modifying old types of AVL or developing new types of AVL.
In China's view, having higher technological parameters for AVL is not the only or the most effective way to solve the problem. Post-war de-mining and enhanced international assistance and cooperation in these efforts are more relevant and useful. China is willing to further exchange views on AVL issue with other countries according to the mandate.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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