CNS Programs: EANP Conference
Sixth U.S.-China Conference on Arms Control, Disarmament and Nonproliferation
Hosted by
The Monterey Institute of International Studies
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Conference Setting
From 5-6 June 2006, the Monterey Institute's Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) and the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association (CACDA) co-sponsored the Sixth U.S.-China Conference on Arms Control, Disarmament and Nonproliferation at the CNS Washington, DC office.
Participants at the Sixth U.S.-China Conference
This "Track 1-1/2" conference brought together more than 60 participants, including senior officials from both governments and experts from various universities and nongovernmental organizations. Launched in September 1998 in Beijing and held on a regular basis alternately in Beijing and Washington, D.C., this conference series has proved an invaluable forum for stimulating frank dialogue, building connections between U.S. and Chinese arms control specialists, and promoting bilateral cooperation in arms control and nonproliferation. Earlier Track 1-1/2 conferences had largely focused on strictly bilateral issues; however that focus began to broaden during the Fifth Conference [link] in 2004--a change that exemplifies the maturing nature of U.S.-China relations. This evolution was again evident in the Sixth Conference, which saw continued widening of the scope of discussions into many crucial issues affecting international security.
As in past conferences, the mix of governmental and non-governmental experts allowed for uniquely candid discussions. By bringing together a diverse group of specialists and officials from both sides, the conference also allowed participants to discuss nonproliferation and arms control in a broader context. CNS and CACDA intended the conference to be a vehicle for exploring areas of convergence and divergence for the two governments in an open and in-depth manner, and assist with finding common ground on many challenging issues. The unofficial nature of the gathering allowed participants to explore issues in a manner not normally available in official dialogues.
Opening Session: (left to right) Zhang Yan, Li Changhe, William Potter, Linton Brooks, Frank
Record
The Chinese delegation was headed by Zhang Yan, Director-General of the Department of Arms Control and Disarmament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the U.S. delegation was led by Frank Record, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation. The Chinese delegation included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Commerce; the Ministry of National Defense; the Commission of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense; the National Development and Reform Commission; and the General Administration for Customs, as well as nongovernmental participants from CACDA, Fudan University and Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament. The U.S. side included officials from the departments of State, Commerce, and Energy, and the National Security Council, as well as nongovernmental participants from CNS, RAND Corporation, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the East-West Center, Brookings Institution, and Institute for Defense Analysis.
U.S. delegation head Frank Record chaired the opening session, and Ambassador Li Changhe, Vice-President of CACDA, and Dr. William Potter, CNS director, formally welcomed the conference participants. CNS and CACDA were honored to have Linton Brooks, Undersecretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Agency, and Chinese delegation head Zhang Yan give the keynote addresses for the conference. Both Brooks and Zhang noted that the United States and China shared common interests with regards to international nonproliferation efforts. Director-General Zhang praised the conference series as an important platform for exchanging of views and building mutual trust and cooperation. He continued that while international security situation was stable a number of challenges lied ahead. Zhang noted that nonproliferation was a great concern across the international community and, as nuclear weapon states, the United States and China had the responsibility to promote international stability. Undersecretary Brooks pointed to recent statements by China's President Hu Jintao calling for Washington and Beijing to be stakeholders and constructive partners in the international arena. He continued by pointing out the important cooperation between both countries in the field of civilian nuclear safety. Brooks noted however that increased emphasis should be put on building links between U.S. and Chinese military nuclear authorities in order to "round out the partnership by elevating our engagement to address the most important threats and build greater confidence in our bilateral relationship."
The conference was organized into four sessions entitled: (1) Proliferation Challenges and Responses; (2) U.S.-China Cooperation and Ways to Achieve Nonproliferation Objectives; (3) Regional Security Issues: The Six-Party Talks and Future Security Mechanisms; and (4) Future of Confidence Building through Strategic Dialogue. A number of contentious issues, such as the nuclear stand-offs with Iran and North Korea, and the U.S.-India nuclear deal were cross-over issues discussed in multiple sessions.
Chair Gary Samore opens first panel on Proliferation Challenges
Presentations and discussion during the first session focused on current problems facing the nonproliferation regimes, particularly nuclear nonproliferation. Presenters from both sides noted that the continuing stalemate in the Six-Party Talks was particularly worrying. With regards to the Iran nuclear issue, both sides were tentatively optimistic about solving the impasse diplomatically. Both the U.S. and Chinese sides agreed on the importance of combating illicit trade in sensitive materials and on the danger to all countries if these materials were to fall into the hands of terrorists.
Participants held a wide range of views of the U.S.-India nuclear deal and the effects it would have on the nuclear nonproliferation regime. U.S. government officials, as well as a few of the U.S. NGO experts, believed the deal with New Delhi would strengthen the nuclear nonproliferation regime by bringing India into the "mainstream." However the Chinese delegation, joined by other participants from U.S. NGO's, expressed significant concern that the nuclear deal was giving unwarranted preference to India and would further erode the strength of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). Significant concerns were also raised that the deal would allow India to increase its fissile material production thus allowing it to create a significant nuclear arsenal. This concern, as well as general concerns over the current state of fissile material production, led to a suggestion that the P-5 states (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) call a moratorium on all fissile material production in lieu of a more formal agreement originating from the Conference on Disarmament.
In light of the increase in bilateral cooperation during the last few years, the second session on nonproliferation cooperation and related objectives was largely upbeat. Presenters focused on the current work between China and the United States in the field of nuclear security and export controls. The Chinese side also gave an update on the progress of export control implementation in China. However a number of members of the Chinese delegation expressed frustration that the U.S. government continued to sanction Chinese companies unilaterally and that there was still a lack of communication between the two sides that stymied stronger cooperation in the nonproliferation field. Some on the U.S. side countered that, while acknowledging the significant progress China has made on strategic trade controls in the last few years, implementation and enforcement appears to be still lacking.
Discussions during Regional Security Panel
The third panel, which focused on regional issues, gave significant attention to the North Korean nuclear standoff. Both U.S. and Chinese presenters and discussants showed great concern about the current stalemate in the Six-Party Talks, however there was notable disagreement on how to move forward. Chinese participants showed significant frustration with Washington's actions with regards to financial sanctions against North Korea. The U.S. side countered that the financial sanctions--which were largely related to illegal activities such as counterfeiting U.S. currency and smuggling by North Korean entities--were necessary for the U.S. government to protect its economic and national security, and were unrelated to the nuclear issue. The U.S. side argued that it was up to the North Koreans to make a strategic choice in order for the negotiation process to move forward. Both parties agreed that bilateral disagreement on the North Korea issue threatened to hamper overall U.S.-China relations.
The final session looked at ways to further strengthen progress in bilateral relations and establish a lasting strategic dialogue. Key points resulting from this discussion included the importance of creating mechanisms to manage interactions related to bilateral and international security issues. In particular, presenters from both sides pointed out the need for increasing military-to-military links. A lack of mutual trust was identified as a prime reason why U.S.-China strategic dialogue has been hindered in the past. Recent moves, however, appeared to suggest increased potential for military-to-military cooperation including visits by high-level defense officials, such as the upcoming visit by senior officials from the Second Artillery Corps (China's nuclear forces) to the headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Command (Stratcom).
Closing remarks: At table (left to right) Dennis Wilder, William Potter, Li Genxin, Zhang Yan
The conference ended with a series of closing remarks by the organizers and delegations. For the U.S. side, Dennis Wilder from the U.S. National Security Council thanked the participants for their lively debates. Wilder noted the Bush administration is strongly in favor of increased nuclear cooperation with China as well as beginning to explore the possibility of space cooperation. Wilder also took the opportunity to reiterate the Bush administration's commitment promoting nuclear development for civilian use. According to Director-General Zhang Yan, the conference had achieved its objectives and allowed participants to freely express a wide range of views and opinions. Participants had advanced many proposals in an effort to find common ground. Zhang characterized the discussions as very constructive and beneficial for all participants.
[View the full Conference Agenda.]
[View the full Participants List.]