China, a firm supporter of the Chemical Weapons Convention

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Editor's note: Zhu Yue is an academic secretary at the Institute of Law of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

January 13, 2019 marks the 26th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (the Chemical Weapons Convention, or CWC). The CWC comprises a Preamble, 24 Articles, and 3 Annexes, including the Annex on Chemicals, the Verification Annex, and the Confidentiality Annex.

The CWC aims to eliminate an entire category of weapons of mass destruction by prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by States Parties. States Parties, in turn, must take the steps necessary to enforce that prohibition in respect of natural and legal persons within their jurisdiction.

Over the past 26 years, approximately 96 percent of chemical weapon stockpiles declared by possessor states have been eliminated under the supervision of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the implementing body for the CWC.

This remarkable achievement is the result of a global endeavor and cooperation, involving nations, industry, scientists, and civil society, to create and enforce the world's most successful disarmament treaty so far.

Former British foreign secretary Boris Johnson waits on stage before addressing a special session of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the Hague, Netherlands, June 26, 2018. / VCG Photo

According to the 2017 annual report of the OPCW, through the powerful international legal regime, an entire category of weapons of mass destruction is nearing complete eradication.

As victims of chemical warfare during World War II, Chinese people have always stood for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of chemical weapons.

Meanwhile, China has made a commitment to promote the international economic, trade, scientific and technological exchanges in the field of chemical industry, thus making chemical industry and technology truly benefit humankind.

The CWC lays the international legal foundation for achieving the two goals. Therefore, China ratified the CWC in 1997 and promised to support the purpose and objective of the CWC.

As a responsible country with a large chemical industry, China has fulfilled its obligations under the convention in good faith. It has submitted its declarations in accordance with the provisions of the convention, and has successfully received more than 300 inspections by the OPCW to confirm Beijing's declarations.

Wu Haitao, China's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, gives a speech during a UN Security Council meeting on chemical weapons in Syria at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the United States, April 4, 2018. /VCG Photo

History must be remembered to cherish the value of the CWC and to build a no-chemical-weapons future. During World War II, roughly 2,000 separate chemical weapon attacks by Japan on Chinese territory between 1937 and 1945 caused over 80,000 casualties.

In addition, at the end of World War II, the Imperial Japanese Army abandoned a large number of chemical weapons on Chinese territory, estimated at approximately 700,000 munitions. The legacy of these attacks continues to represent a serious safety problem for contemporary Chinese.

As President Xi Jinping pointed out in his speech at the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of war victory, “War is like a mirror. Looking at it helps us better appreciate the value of peace.” China, as a victim, would unswervingly take the road of peaceful development and remain a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order.

Thus, Beijing's official declarations of the CWC have consistently shown support for the complete prohibition and destruction of chemical weapons.

Part of the Japanese Army's use of chemical weapons were exhibited in the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, September 5, 2018. /VCG Photo

The 2016 Report on China's Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons expresses the country's commitment to implementing the CWC and emphasizes its cooperation with the OPCW, including hosting several training courses for OPCW inspectors, as well as international courses on protection and assistance.

In the official declaration submitted to the OPCW, the Chinese government declared that it had destroyed all chemical weapon facilities before ratifying the Convention.

Although China is not currently a member of the Australia Group (AG), an export control forum focused on chemical and biological weapons, since 2006 Beijing has held regular consultations with the AG, and China's CW-related export controls are in line with AG control lists. This shows China's determination and endeavor in banning the export of chemical weapons.

Soldiers quickly wear anti-chemical equipment as they encounter "chemical attacks" during a military exercise in Lanzhou, China's Gansu Province, August 21, 2015. /VCG Photo

In addition, China has two OPCW-designated laboratories: the Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Chemical Defense and the Laboratory of Toxicant Analysis at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, which is strong proof of China's support for the OPCW.

On the 26th anniversary of the signature of the CWC, we would like to congratulate the important role the CWC has played in the removal and destruction of the reported chemical weapons since its signing.

Nonetheless, the international community's work is far from done, and serious challenges remain. China will continue to be a strong supporter of the CWC and the OPCW, firmly oppose the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances, and promote peaceful uses of chemistry to meet future challenges.

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