Chinese Statement on Joint Working Paper
Delivered at the Conference on Disarmament on June 27, 2002
Hu Xiaodi 
Mr. President:
Allow me to begin, on behalf of the Chinese Delegation, by congratulating you on the assumption of the Presidency of the CD, and expressing our appreciation for your efforts in facilitating the resumption of substantive work of the CD at an early date. It is our hope that the CD can move forward under your guidance. We also would like to thank your predecessor, H.E. Ambassador La Fortelle of France, for his valuable contribution.
Mr. President,
Today, a working paper by the Delegations of China and the Russian Federation entitled Possible Elements for a Future International Legal Agreement on the Prevention of the Deployment of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects (Draft) has been submitted to the CD. This working paper has also won the cosponsorship of the Delegations of Viet Nam, Indonesia, Belarus, Zimbabwe and Syria. We have already requested the secretariat to circulate it as an official document of the CD. This working paper will continue to be open to other CD members for co-sponsorship.
Mr. President,
Outer space is the common heritage of the mankind. The exploration and utilization of outer space for peaceful purpose is a universal aspiration and demand of the international community. For more than half a century, the development of space technology has enormously facilitated the economic, scientific and social progress of all nations. Meanwhile, it has also stimulated the research and development of outer-space-related weaponry and military technologies. Various combat theories and concepts related to space warfare have been unveiled. Outer space is faced with the danger of weaponization and arms race. This will not be in the interests of any country, be it a country with advanced space technology or a developing country. Therefore, the prevention of the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space has become a pressing task for the entire international community.
Over the years, a great deal of work has been done by the international community. Although existing arms control and disarmament agreements related to outer space have played a positive role in peaceful use of outer space and regulating relevant activities in outer space, they are far from sufficient in arresting the worrying slide towards the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space.
Therefore, we believe that only a treaty-based prohibition of the deployment of weapons in outer space and the prevention of the threat or use of force against outer space objects can eliminate the emerging threat of the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space and ensure the security for outer space assets of all countries. This is essential for the maintenance of world peace and strategic stability.
As the sole multilateral disarmament negotiating forum, the CD established an Ad Hoc Committee on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) for ten consecutive years in the past and accumulated rich experience. Therefore, the CD is an ideal forum for negotiating such a legal agreement. The UN General Assembly has for years passed resolutions on PAROS, reiterating that "the CD has the primary role in the negotiation of a multilateral agreement or agreements, as appropriate, on the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects". Most CD members have expressed their support for the CD to start substantive work on outer space.
In this context, we've outlined the general framework and concrete contents of the future legal agreement on outer space through this working paper. The core of the new legal agreement is:
"Not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying any kinds of weapons, not to install such weapons on celestial bodies, or not to station such weapons in outer space in any other manner.
Not to resort to the threat or use of force against outer space objects.
Not to assist or encourage other States, groups of States, international organizations to participate in activities prohibited by this Treaty".
All these basic obligations, we believe, echo the outcry of the international community for the peaceful use of the outer space and nipping the danger of the weaponization of outer space in the bud. Therefore, from security and political perspectives, it is both necessary and practical to honor the above obligations in good faith.
Some delegations have, after serious studying, come up with valuable suggestions to the working paper, which we appreciate very much. We hope that all parties of the CD, which constitute an invaluable pool of talents and expertise, can join hands with us to substantiate, develop and improve this working paper in a spirit of positive cooperation. The negotiation and conclusion of the above future treaty will contribute to the preservation of peace and the prohibition of weaponry in outer space.
Mr. President,
For the sake of CD work, the Chinese side has again demonstrated new flexibility by proposing an amendment to the mandate of the Ad Hoc Committee on PAROS contained in document CD/1624. The Chinese side will agree to the content of CD/1624 if all sides accept this amendment. We hope, on such a basis, the CD can agree on a working programme so as to start substantive work at an early date.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Ambassador Hu Xiaodi is the Permanent Representative of China to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. China maintains a website for its Geneva Mission with a special disarmament section at http://www.china-un.ch/eng/c4193.html.
