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Executive Council of the OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) commences its 54th session in The Hague on October 14, 2008. All members of the Executive Council participate the meeting. H.E. Ambassador Zhang Jun, Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands and Representative to the OPCW, addresses general debate in the morning. Ambassador Zhang illustrates views and positions of the Chinese government on issues of Chemical Weapons Destruction, Industrial Verification Regime, and 2009 program and budget of the OPCW, etc. He highlights the serious and real threaten posed by JACW (Chemical Weapons Abandoned by Japan in China) to the lives and properties of the Chinese people and the safety of ecological environment. He urges Japan to fulfill the obligation of the Chemical Weapon Convention faithfully in tangible action, and launch the destruction work without further delay. Ambassador Zhang also calls upon the OPCW pay more attention and efforts in this regard.
The statement made by Ambassador Zhang Jun at the 54th session of the Executive Council of the OPCW on 14 October is as follows:
Mme. Chairperson,
First of all, please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese delegation, to welcome you back to the chair of the Executive Council (EC). My delegation will offer its full cooperation to you and to other delegations, in order to help this EC session to complete all its proceedings successfully.
I would like to thank the Direct-General, H. E. Mr. Rogelio Pfirter, for the report on the work of the OPCW he just presented.I also fully concur with the statement made by the Cuban Ambassador, H. E. Mr. Oscar Ramos, on behalf of the NAM States Parties and China.
Mme. Chairperson,
This EC session, as the last of 2008, will consider such important items as the 2009 Draft Program and Budget, and make preparations for the 13th Session of the Conference of States Parties. Now, I would like to elaborate on China's views on some issues.
Firstly, the complete destruction of chemical weapons (CW) at the earliest-possible date remains the most important and urgent task faced by the OPCW.By now, some 40% of all the declared CW stockpiles have been destroyed.In this regard, following Albania, another State Party had completed its CW destruction in last July.All this stands in witness to the enormous efforts made by the possessor states, and we appreciate them.On the other hand, as the final destruction deadline of 2012 draws nearer and nearer, those states have now an even more arduous job since there are tremendous remainders yet to be destroyed.We wish to call upon them to overcome difficulties and speed up the destruction process.My delegation supports the EC in continuing its positive role in monitoring the destruction through its transparency visits to CW destruction facilities.We hope that the Secretariat will make this a focus in planning its work in this regard.
As always, the destruction of the chemical weapons abandoned by Japan in China (JACW) constitutes a primary concern of the Chinese government and people.The JACWs are still posing a grave threat to lives, properties and the environment in China.They have caused human casualties from time to time.Therefore, it brooks no further delay to expedite the process of destroying them.As a result of the joint efforts by China and Japan, some progress has now been made in the excavation and recovery of the JACWs and in the initial preparation for their destruction.Some trial excavations will soon take place.However, substantive destruction is yet to begin.We urge the Japanese side to step up its efforts and launch the destruction at the earliest-possible date, with the object of completely destroying the JACWs. The Chinese side will continue to provide its appropriate cooperation.We welcome the Secretariat’s more in-depth and comprehensive involvement in this process.
Secondly, the program and budget constitutes the prerequisite and foundation for the OPCW to carry out its activities, and it also reflects the work focuses and priorities.The programming and budgeting should centre around the realization of the Convention's core objects, and ensure a balanced implementation of the major Articles.My delegation was pleased to note that on the basis of meeting the expenditure in general for implementing the core programs under the Convention, the 2009 Draft Program and Budget submitted by the DG will again achieve a zero-growth of the budget, while ensuring balanced expenses and allotments.In response to proposals by States Parties, the Secretariat improved in time the performance indicators for budgeted programs and activities, making them more measurable.This will help the EC follow in time and monitor the budget performance to ensure the financial transparency of the Organization.China has always earnestly fulfilled its obligation of paying membership contributions, which is a basic obligation of States Parties.We call on all States Parties to pay their contributions in full and in time, so as to ensure the delivery of all the programs for next year.
Thirdly, the strengthening and improvement of the mechanism of industry inspection has been an issue of high and wide concern.The consensus reached at the Second Review Conference has laid an importantbasis for proper solutions to the outstanding issues concerning this matter.My delegation supports directing OCPF inspections towards facilities of greater relevance. We are of the view that there are close interrelations amongst the improvement of OCPF declarations, the selection methodology for OCPF inspection and the inspection frequencies of different types of industrial facilities. We also believe that the nature of OCPF facilities, the OPCW's resources and the ability of some States Parties to receive the relevant inspections should all be put in perspective in seeking a comprehensive solution. We will welcome the EC's appointment of facilitators for starting informal consultations on all the outstanding industry-related issues.My delegation is prepared to join in the consultations constructively and work towards expanding consensus and advancing the work in this regard in a steady and orderly manner.
Fourthly, it is a keen expectation of the developing countries to see international exchange and cooperation in the field of chemical activities strengthened. This is also a key object of the Convention.A job well done in this field will serve to enhance the credibility of the OPCW and win more extensive support, which will in turn benefit the achievement of other objectives under the Convention.My delegation commends the Secretariat for its enormous efforts made in promoting the employment of chemical activities for peaceful purposes, and calls on all parties to accord higher attention to and more inputs in this area and advance the full implementation of Article XI.
The promotion of the enforcement of national implementation measures is a long-term task of the OPCW.We appreciate the positive progress made in this connexion and are ready to join hands with other parties in keeping and boosting the momentum.The Chinese government has decided to organize, jointly with the OPCW, in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region next year, a customs-related workshop for the Asian region.Any interested State Party will be welcome to attend it.
Thank you, Mme. Chairperson.
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