by Kong Jun

BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- China has initiated relevant domestic legal procedures for its accession to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The announcement, which sends out a positive signal of China's readiness to become a State Party to the ATT, was made by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the United Nations General Assembly on September 27. This announcement is greatly welcomed and highly commended by the international community.

As the Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council and a responsible member of the international community, China consistently advocates multilateralism, actively and extensively participates in global security governance and strives for building a community with shared future for mankind. It is widely acknowledged that the accession to the ATT is a new and concrete action taken by China in line with its stated positions.

Currently the pursuit of unilateralism and frequent withdrawal from treaties by the United States, including its announcement of revoking U.S. signature to the ATT in April, have exerted negative impact on the global strategic balance and stability as well as the international arms control and non-proliferation system. Against such backdrop, China's concrete step in initiating the domestic legal procedures for its accession to the ATT will definitely inject positive energy and new impetus into the existing international arms control legal system. This step also demonstrates that China is taking concrete actions other than empty words to uphold multilateralism and build a community with shared future for mankind.

China has always been seriously concerned about the humanitarian problems caused by the illicit trafficking and abusing of conventional arms and supported the international community to take all necessary measures to regulate international arms trade and to combat illicit transfer and trafficking of conventional arms. For many years, China has been extensively engaged in relevant conventional arms control processes in the framework of the United Nations, and put forward Chinese initiatives and proposals. China has faithfully fulfilled its international obligations and commitments such as in the control of small arms and light weapons, the registration of conventional arms transfers, the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on arms embargo, and in international de-mining cooperation and assistance. All these efforts significantly contribute to alleviating concerns on various issues caused by illicit activities in the field of conventional arms.

China takes a prudent and responsible approach in its arms export. The Chinese Government has established a comprehensive legislative and regulatory mechanism of export control on conventional arms. China's arms export policy strictly follows three principles: i) conducive to the legitimate self-defense capability of the recipient country; ii) not undermine peace, security and stability of the region concerned and the world as a whole; iii) non-interference in the internal affairs of the recipient country. China conducts arms trade with sovereign states only, and requires the end-user and end-use certificates by the recipient government with commitment not to transfer the arms imported from China to any third party without prior consent of the Chinese Government.

China's launching of its legal procedures of joining the ATT is consistent with its national positions and international efforts and is a natural step at the right time. In fact, China never was a bystander but an important participant and contributor to the ATT. China participated in the discussion and negotiation process and made great contributions to the conclusion of the ATT ever since the early preparation period of the Treaty in 2004. China has participated as an observer in all the five Conferences of States Parties and dedicated to promoting the effectiveness and universality of the ATT in its own approach, including seriously studying its accession to the Treaty.

As Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang commented, "China is currently going through the relevant domestic legal procedures as required and striving for its accession to the ATT at an early date." We are convinced that China's accession, as a good model, will attract and encourage more countries to pay attention to and even join the Treaty. This could be a great promotion of the effectiveness and universality of the ATT and enhancement of international cooperation in combating illicit trade of conventional arms, which will definitely help to maintain peace and stability both at regional and global levels.

As a firm defender of multilateral arms control and disarmament system and international order, China will faithfully fulfill its obligations as a State Party after its accession, and continue to actively engage in relevant international efforts, in a bid to make greater contributions to establishing a fair and normative international order of arms trade and maintaining the global and regional peace and stability.

(Editor's Note: the Arms Trade Treaty was approved by vote at the 67th UN General Assembly in 2013, came into effect in 2014 and has 104 States Parties so far. The purpose of the Treaty is to regulate the conventional arms trade, combat illicit arms transfer, and alleviate various concerns such as global and regional instability and humanitarian problems caused by the abuse of arms trade.)

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