A senior Chinese diplomat introduced an international initiative to accelerate the development of biotechnology and prohibit the misuse of biotechnology at a biosecurity review symposium included in the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in Geneva on Thursday.

The Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists is the first international initiative named after north China's Tianjin Municipality and mainly initiated by China in global biosecurity governance.

The rapid development of biotechnology nowadays not only provides new technical means for people to understand and transform the world, but also brings potential biosecurity risks and threats, said Li Song, China's ambassador for disarmament affairs, at the symposium.

To realize a universal security and common development for the humankind, State Parties to BWC should strengthen the review of biotechnology development within the framework of the Convention and promote responsible biological research, said Li.

Acknowledging different scientific practices in different countries, Tianjin Guidelines consist of 10 codes of conduct for scientists: adhere to ethnic standards, abide by the laws and regulations, advocate research integrity, respect research objects, enhance risks management, participate in education and training, spread research results, encourage public participation, enhance scientific research supervision and accelerate international cooperation.

Based on a joint initiative launched by China and Pakistan, the Tianjin Guidelines were formed after more than 30 rounds of discussions involving scientists from more than 20 countries, including experts from Tianjin University, Johns Hopkins University in U.S. and Secretariat of InterAcademy Partnership (IAP).

IAP has officially recognized the Tianjin Guidelines and encouraged national academy of science in different countries accept and promote the Guidelines.

At the symposium, experts and scholars praised Tianjin Guidelines, saying China has been playing an important role in promoting global biosecurity governance and formulating relevant international rules.

The guidelines were also thought to matter a lot in calling for a responsible biological research worldwide.