Reaching Critical Will

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Statement by Ambassador Wang Qun of China to the Conference on Disarmament 19th August 2008

Unofficial Transcript

Thank you Mr. President

The Chinese Delegation would like to congratulate you as Ambassador as Chairman of the CD. The Chinese Delegation also appreciates your predecessor, Ambassador Christina Rocca for her work and all the other predecessors for their contribution to the CD.

We are also grateful to the departing Finland and French Ambassador for their contributions to the work of the CD.

We have noted, the distinguished ambassador of Pakistan, New Zealand ambassador as well as other delegations, they have all made important statements with regard to the work of the CD. All these statements have contained important elements. China will study them seriously. Own my own part, judging from the statements made just now, especially statements by Pakistan, New Zealand and other delegations, we can see a fact , a reality in the CD that is there is still differences of views with regard on how CD should proceed. Differences over procedures and differences over substantive issues, yet at the same time we should come to see that although there are differences, we have all shared the same goal. All the parties hope that there will be progress in the work of the CD and hope that this progress will be promoted.

Under such a situation, how to handle the differences of views? On my part, I think we should hold constructive dialogues rather than criticizing others that will be conducive to resolving this different and iron out these differences rather than expanding these differences. Only by this approach that will be conducive to the early agreement over the work program. Therefore under such circumstances any approach and message, any initiative should contribute to an early conclusion of a work program. This process in the work of the CD should be respected. The Chinese side is ready as always to work together with all the other parties concerned so to achieve the above mentioned goal.

Thank you Mr. President.