China: Arms Control Proposals and Statements
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China has consistently opposed the weaponization of outer space in its official statements, and, along with Russia, has led the initiative to create an international treaty banning all weapons in space through discussions within an ad hoc committee of the Conference on Disarmament. Below are links to some of China's official statements on space arms control since 2002.

• Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the Conference on Disarmament, June 30, 2005

• Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the Conference on Disarmament, June 9, 2005

• Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the Conference on Disarmament, February 15, 2005

• Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the Conference on Disarmament, August 26, 2004

• Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the Conference on Disarmament, February 12, 2004

• Interview with Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui, December 30, 2003

• Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the UN First Committee, October 21, 2003

• Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the Conference on Disarmament, August 7, 2003
• Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the UN First Committee, October 15, 2002
• Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the Conference on Disarmament, June 27, 2002

• Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the Conference on Disarmament, March 28, 2002

Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the Conference on Disarmament, June 9, 2005

(Full text of statement)

"The Chinese delegation has always attached great importance to the prevention of an arms race in outer space, and has actively advocated the negotiation of an international legal instrument or substantive work on the issue by the CD. Our main reasons are the following: firstly, outer space is the common heritage of mankind, and its importance is growing with every passing day. The peaceful use of outer space is indispensable for countries with undertakings in communication, navigation, space flight, meteorology, remote sensing, disaster reduction and other fields of science and technology. Research statistics show that to date, countries have launched thousands of spacecraft into outer space. As human society progresses, the importance of outer space to our life will increase further.

Secondly, preventing the weaponization of space and an arms race has become ever more urgent. Because of its uniquely commanding height, outer space has been gaining ever greater military and strategic value. The post-cold-war international strategic environment has removed the barrier to occupying a commanding strategic position in outer space. In addition, the rapid development of science and technology has also provided the material conditions for outer space to become a platform for warfare. Theories and concepts such as control of outer space and space force projection are being codified. R & D is being conducted on space weapons. According to recent reports, policies for the deployment of space weapons are also under discussion. This has added new urgency to the issue of preventing the weaponization of space and an arms race in outer space.

Thirdly, the deployment of weapons in outer space will bring about a series of grave negative consequences. First, it will disrupt strategic balance and stability, undermine international and national security and do harm to the existing arms control instruments, in particular those related to nuclear weapons and missiles, thus triggering a new arms race. In addition, the deployment and use of space weapons will seriously threaten the security of space assets and risks harming the biosphere of the earth. Tests of space weapons in near-earth orbits will exacerbate the already serious problem of space debris.

Fourthly, the existing international legal regime on outer space has inherent limitations. Confronted with the danger of the weaponization of outer space and an arms race, the limitations of the existing international legal regime on outer space have been exposed: it is unable to prevent or prohibit the deployment and use in outer space of weapons other than weapons of mass destruction, and it is unable to prevent or prohibit the use or threat of force on outer space objects from earth. Furthermore, some legal instruments lack universality. For instance, there are only 10 contracting parties to the “Moon Treaty”.

In view of the above, substantive work on preventing an arms race in outer space, by closing the loopholes in the existing international legal regime and preventing the weaponization of outer space and an arms race in practical terms, cannot be deferred."

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Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the Conference on Disarmament, June 9, 2005

(Full text of statement)

"Over the years, China together with the Russian Federation and other countries have spared no effort in working, in the international community and the Conference, for the prevention of an arms race in outer space. China and Russia advocate the negotiation in the CD of an international legal instrument prohibiting the deployment of weapons in outer space and the use or threat of force against space objects. For this purpose, we tabled a working paper in document CD/1679.

[....]

...There have recently been worrying developments relating to outer space, making efforts to halt the weaponization of outer space the more pressing. China appeals to CD members to show political will and courage by agreeing on a work schedule so we can begin substantive work on the prevention of an arms race in outer space..."

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Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the Conference on Disarmament, February 15, 2005

(Full text of statement)

"As science and technology have progressed, an increasing number of countries have been able to draw on the peaceful uses and development of outer space to benefit their people. At the same time, however, research and development in the area of outer space weapons have also intensified, theories of a war in outer space have emerged and the threat of the weaponization of outer space has increased. Given the obvious inadequacies of the existing international legal regime governing outer space, it is extremely necessary and urgent for the international community to prevent the weaponization of outer space and an arms race there."

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Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi to the Conference on Disarmament, August 26, 2004

(Full text of statement)

"The peaceful use of outer space is the common objective of mankind, and at the CD [Conference on Disarmament] the Chinese delegation has, on many occasions, elaborated on the urgency and necessity of preventing the weaponization of outer space and an arms race in outer space in the current situation.  In our view the priority concern is to further consolidate the international concensus on the prevention of the weaponization of outer space and an arms race in outer space by means of a legal commitment or instrument.

[....]

...for the time being a future legal instrument on outer space can be formulated without a verification mechanism; as science and technology progress, the addition of a verification mechanism may be discussed again when conditions are ripe...in view of the urgent need for a legal instrument, this course of action can prevent the verification issue from becoming an obstacle to an early start on PAROS.

[....]

...although these international legal instruments [Partial Test-Ban Treaty, Outer Space Treaty, Agreement Covering the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques] do prohibit and/or restrict to some extent the deployment of weapons, the use of force and military activities in certain areas of outer space, they are unable effectively to prevent the testing, deployment or use of weapons other than weapons of mass destruction in outer space.  In addition, none covers the threat or use of force from the earth (whether on land, at sea or in the atmosphere) against objects in outer space."

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"Last October, China successfully launched the Shengzhou 5 manned spaceship, which not only marks China’s significant progress in the field of peaceful use of outer space, but also constitutes part of the endeavor by the whole international community to explore outer space. Outer space belongs to the humankind. It is in the interest of all countries and peoples to prevent weapons from proliferating into outer space, which must never become 'the fourth space' for arms race and war. China continues to hold the view that the Conference on Disarmament should reach agreement on a program of work as suggested by the Five Ambassadors (CD/1693/Rev.1), so as to start substantive work to negotiate international legal instruments on its important agenda items, including the prevention of an arms race in outer space."

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Interview with Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui, December 30, 2003

"Question: This year China successfully launched the 'Shenzhou' 5 manned spacecraft, making new strides in the peaceful utilization of outer space. Please tell us a bit about China's position with regard to the peaceful utilization of outer space, preventing an arms race in space, and the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) issue.

Zhang: China's successful launch of the 'Shenzhou' 5 manned spacecraft this year is not only a significant advance by China in the peaceful utilization of space, it is also an integral part of the space exploration effort by the international community as a whole. Outer space is the joint asset of all mankind, and with advances in science and technology, the importance of outer space to mankind will become ever greater. Ensuring the peaceful utilization of outer space and bringing benefits to society as a whole has been China's goal throughout. However, with developments in space technology and the international situation, at present outer space is facing two prospects. The first is that it becomes an ever-broader resource for peaceful utilization by mankind, and the second is that weapons enter outer space so that it becomes the fourth area of war and the arms race. The first prospect is in the interests of all mankind, and is encouraging. The second prospect will be of no help in ensuring the security of outer space; on the contrary, it will lead to an outer space arms race, threatening the security of every nation's space assets, and clearly is not in the interests of any country, including the space powers. Accordingly, adopting effective preventive measures to head off disaster is a realistic and pressing task facing the international community. In light of this, China advocates a discussion of related international legal documents to prevent the militarization of outer space and an arms race there, banning the actual deployment of weapons in outer space and the use of armed force against objects in space. To be sure, at present there are already some treaties that regulate activities in outer space, and these have played a positive role in promoting the exploration and peaceful utilization of outer space. However, these treaties have certain limitations, the most prominent being that they have not prohibited the deployment of all kinds of weapons in space, nor have they prohibited the use of armed force against objects in outer space. In order to effectively ensure the goal of the peaceful utilization of outer space, we are calling strongly for the Geneva Conference on Disarmament to launch talks as soon as possible and conclude a new international treaty to prevent the militarization of outer space and an arms race there. This proposal has received a positive response and support of quite a few countries.

As for the ABM issue, China's position is very clear. We advocate using political and diplomatic means to resolve the problem of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. ABM systems are advanced weapons systems, and have both defensive and offensive capabilities. Building such a system may have an impact on the mutual trust among the major powers and on strategic stability. There are differing voices in the international community regarding the ABM development programs of some countries. We have advocated all along that the various concerned countries should initiate a constructive dialog, boosting confidence and dispelling doubts, and making a joint effort to maintain global security and stability."

Interview with Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui: "Turn Challenges Into Opportunities, Seek Security Through Cooperation," Jiefangjun Bao, December 30, 2003, p. 4; in "China: Vice Foreign Minister Comments on International Security, Arms Controls," FBIS Document CPP20031230000081.

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"...the development of space technology has also brought about the research and development of space weapons and application of military technology. Relevant theory and policy associated with outer space warfare such as "control and occupation of outer space" have come to the fore. The research and development of space weapon systems are being putting into practice. The risk of the weaponization of outer space is mounting. In the meantime, the existing international legal instruments are not sufficient for curbing effectively the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space.

Outer space is the common heritage of mankind. To ensure the peaceful use of outer space and prevent the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space are in the common interest and also the common responsibility of all countries. The history and experience of disarmament and arms control demonstrate that to prevent the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space, we must not remain idle until outer space weapons have been putting in place and causing damages. It would be too late if one country leads in ushering weapons into outer space, with others states following suit and the prospect of 'space weapon proliferation' looming large. Therefore, the key is to take preventive measures. Otherwise, the right of using outer space for peaceful purposes and the security of outer space assets will be put in jeopardy. To conclude an international legal agreement to prevent the deployment of weapons in outer space without further delay stands out as the best way.

Based on these principled positions, China offered its propositions and suggestions on PAROS in the form of CD documents in 1985, 2000 and 2001 respectively. Building upon that, in 2002, China and the Russian Federation, together with the delegations of Viet Nam, Indonesia, Belarus, Zimbabwe and the Syrian Arab Republic, jointly submitted to the CD a working paper 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."

On September 25 this year, the Russian Federation announced its obligation not to be the first to deploy offensive strike weapons in outer space, stood for developing a comprehensive agreement on this issue and invited all countries possessing space potential to join its initiative. This is a very positive step forward, moving to a direction in line with China's proposals.

In the same spirit, on August 7 this year, China expressed its willingness to join consensus on the initiative of Five Ambassadors with regard to the program of work of the CD. We hope that other parties would live up to the expectations of the international community and respond positively so as to help reach an agreement on a comprehensive and balanced work program at the CD, with a view to conducting substantive work on all important issues, including the prevention of an arms race in outer space, towards negotiating relevant international legal instruments."

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"For the last six years, the Conference on Disarmament, the sole multilateral negotiating
forum in the field of arms control and disarmament, has been unable to conduct any substantive
work. In order to break this deadlock, China has already demonstrated very considerable
flexibility. Thus, in June 2002, China stopped insisting on a negotiating mandate for the ad hoc
committee on PAROS and proposed instead that relevant work should be conducted, I quote,
“with a view to negotiating a relevant international legal instrument”, as stated in its
paper CD/1682. While a great majority of delegations have expressed their appreciation for this
proposal, the Conference on Disarmament has still failed to come up with a corresponding
programme of work on PAROS.

Many other delegations have also made great efforts towards formulating a programme
of work for the Conference on Disarmament and tabled a number of constructive proposals.
Following the Amorim proposal, on 31 July 2002, Ambassador Dembri of Algeria, on behalf of
five ambassadors, put forward an initiative on the Conference on Disarmament’s programme of
work. On 23 January this year, Ambassador Lint of Belgium once again formally tabled the
initiative on behalf of the five ambassadors, as contained in document CD/1693. On 26 June, on
behalf of the five ambassadors, Ambassador Lint amended the mandate of the PAROS ad hoc
committee, as set out in the five ambassadors’ initiative, by deleting the phrase “without
prejudice” and adding the phrase “including the possibility of negotiating a relevant international
legal instrument”. It should be pointed out here that this newly amended mandate still falls far
short of China’s position aimed at negotiating a relevant international legal instrument.

"...while sharing the fruits of the peaceful use of outer space and yearning for a better future, we are facing a series of grave challenges. The research and development of space weapons and the unveiling of space combat theories, just to name a few, clearly indicate that outer space is facing the increasing danger of weaponization and an arms race. If the trend is not reversed, countries will be compelled to take measures to protect the security of their space assets and relevant ground facilities in the near future. The peaceful use of outer space will also be more costly, vulnerable satellites and manned spaceships will have to orbit a weaponized space, also full of weapon debris. Efforts for peaceful uses of outer space will be retarded, and fruitful achievements endangered. Future generations will have to live under the Damocles sword, and pay a high price in dealing with 'non-proliferation of outer space weapons' and 'disarmament or reduction of outer space weapons.'

Over the years, the international community has realized the severe consequences of the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space, and made unremitting efforts in codifying and improving relevant international legal regimes as well as regulating activities of states in outer space. The Outer Space Treaty, ABM Treaty, Registration Convention, Moon Agreement had been subsequently concluded. They have played a positive role in preventing the weaponization of outer space in the past decades by stopping the introduction of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in outer space. Nevertheless, with the rapid development of space technology for military purposes, the shortcomings and loopholes of the above legal instruments in relation to the prohibition of the deployment of weapons other than WMD and use or threat of forces against outer space objects have been gradually revealed. As the weaponization of outer space grows increasingly salient, the above instruments are not up to the task. It has become a pressing task for the international community to negotiate and conclude a legal instrument to arrest the negative slide towards the weaponization and an arms race in outer space.

As an important forum of international arms control and disarmament, the First Committee of UNGA has adopted over twenty resolutions on PAROS. In recent years, the PAROS resolution was adopted without a negative vote. This clearly shows the paramount importance the international community attached to this issue and the political will to address it. This year, China will continue to co-sponsor the resolution on PAROS (A/C.1/57/L30). However, there still lacks progress in the implementation of these resolutions. It is particularly regrettable that as the sole multilateral disarmament negotiating body, the Conference on Disarmament (CD) has yet to conduct substantive work on PAROS as requested by the relevant UNGA resolutions. The international community has devoted much attention to ways of breaking the current stalemate on PAROS. We call upon this Committee to continue to pay attention and attach importance to PAROS issue, and redouble efforts for its solution."

"In our view, in order to prevent the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space, the following basic obligations should be established, as laid out in CD/1679:

• 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 the above Legal Agreement.

It should be pointed out that the aim of submitting this working paper is to implement PAROS resolutions and realize the goal of preventing the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space through multilateral cooperation. We are pleased to note that there exist broad common understandings on this objective. We are open to constructive views and amendments, so as to further develop and improve this document.

Peaceful use of outer space reflects the common will and fundamental interests of the international community. Preventing the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space is in the interest of all countries and should be our common responsibility. Let us get the process moving by displaying political will and determination, and strive for the early negotiation and conclusion of an international legally binding instrument on the prevention of the deployment of weapons in outer space, and of the use or threat of force against outer space objects. We owe it to future generations to keep space free from weapons and wars. Now we all should make due contributions."

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"...we believe that only the prohibition, in the form of a legally binding treaty, of the deployment of weapons in outer space and the prevention of the threat or use of force against outer space objects is capable of removing the emerging threats of the weaponization of outer space and an arms race in outer space and ensuring the security of the outer space assets of all countries and is therefore essential for the maintenance of world peace and strategic stability.

In the past, as the sole multilateral disarmament negotiating forum, for 10 consecutive years the Conference on Disarmament established an ad hoc committee on the prevention of an arms race in outer space. In that process it accumulated a rich pool of experience and, for that reason, the Conference is the ideal forum for negotiating such a legal agreement. Year in, year out, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted resolutions on PAROS, reiterating that the Conference on Disarmament has a 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 members of the Conference have expressed their support for the commencement of substantive work on this subject by the Conference on Disarmament.

In this context, in our working paper, we have outlined the general framework and specific content of a future legal agreement on outer space. The core of the new legal agreement is as follows:

• Not to place in orbit around the earth any objects carrying any kinds of weapons, not to install such weapons on celestial bodies or 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 or international organizations to participate in activities prohibited by this treaty.

All these basic obligations, we believe, respond to the urgent appeal by the international community for the peaceful use of outer space and guard against the danger of its weaponization. Accordingly, from the standpoint of security and also for political considerations, compliance with the above obligations is both imperative and of practical benefit."

"In the interests of facilitating the work of the Conference on Disarmament, China has once again demonstrated renewed flexibility by proposing an amendment to the mandate of the ad hoc committee on PAROS, as contained in document CD/1624. China will agree to the content of that document, if all sides accept its amendment. It is our hope that the Conference on Disarmament can agree on a programme of work at the earliest possible stage, so that it can start its substantive work."

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"Today I would like to focus on two issues : prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS) and fissile material cut-off.

With regard to outer space, we have seen the following facts: During the 20 years since the 'Star Wars Initiatives' was first unveiled, tremendous headway has been made in the sphere of military and weapon technologies related to outer space, and the weapons and weapon systems that were mere blueprints in the past are being turned into reality. The ABM Treaty has been abolished unilaterally. The missile defense project, which is being pushed forward in all its aspects, has overtly incorporated the outer space weapon systems as an important component. The relevant organizations and resource allocations have been optimized.

In the meantime, the operational concepts of 'Space Control' and 'Assuring the Superiority in Outer Space' have been put forward, and both the doctrine on fighting wars in outer space and the command structure are firmly in place. About a year ago, the first "Space War Exercise" simulated the use of anti-satellite weapons, strategic missile defense systems and land-based laser weapons to attack space targets. The formation and improvement of military units for outer space are moving ahead. While the development of missile defense system and the research on space weapons are surging forward in tandem, the plan to 'control the space' has entered the stage of implementation.

The above-mentioned facts testify to the imminent danger of outer space weaponization, the consequences of which will not only trigger off a possible arms race in outer space, but also cause serious damage to the international disarmament process and the global strategic balance and stability. Such a development definitely goes against the good will of the international community for the peaceful use of outer space. Against this backdrop, the task of preventing the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space stands out as a most pressing issue today. As the sole multilateral disarmament-negotiating forum, the CD should face up this reality and take effective actions to meet this challenge.

The last 50 years have witnessed the process of research, deployment and reduction of nuclear weapons. History tells us how tedious a task it has been to achieve nuclear disarmament when these weapons were already developed and deployed. To avoid following the same disastrous path, we are duty-bound to take preventive measures immediately for the prevention of the weaponization of outer space—to nib the danger in the bud, so to speak—so that we would not have to be confronted with the same complex and thorny issues such as 'outer space weapon disarmament' and 'the non-proliferation of outer space weapons' in the future."

"It is apparent that in a situation whereby the existing outer space legal instruments are a far cry from meeting the new challenges, it is only by negotiating and concluding legally-binding international instrument(s) to prohibit the weaponization of outer space and prevent an arms race in outer space can the interest and assets of all states in outer space be safeguarded on an equal footing and valuable resources be channeled towards the peaceful use of outer space. In this regard, the choice to be made by major powers with space weapons capabilities is undoubtedly of paramount importance. A positive proposal on the moratorium of the deployment of weapons in outer space and on the prohibition of the weaponization of outer space was put forward by the Russian Federation at UNGA last year. China gives its full support to this proposal.

China's stance on outer space is consistent. The CD should reestablish an Ad Hoc Committee on PAROS and start to negotiate towards concluding one or more legal instruments on the prohibition of the weaponization in outer space. In 1985, China submitted a working paper entitled "Basic Position on the Prevention of an arms race in Outer Space" (CD/579). In 2000 and 2001, China submitted two working papers entitled "China's Position on and Suggestions for Ways to Address the Issue of Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space at the Conference on Disarmament" (CD/1606) and "Possible Elements of the Future International Legal Instrument on the Prevention of the Weaponization of Outer Space" (CD/1645) respectively. In the past, the CD used to have an Ad Hoc Committee on PAROS for 10 years in a row. A lot of ideas, suggestions and proposals tabled by its member States parties in this period have provided us with rich resources for the launching of substantive work in this field and a working basis for the negotiation and ultimate conclusion of the relevant legal instrument(s) on this issue. With regard to the mandate of the Ad Hoc Committee on PAROS, the Chinese delegation has already put forward its proposal, which is contained in the document CD/1576. We also support the proposals on this issue tabled by the Group of 21 and the delegation of the Russian Federation, which are contained in the documents CD/1570 and CD/1644 respectively.

China has always supported the conclusion of FMCT through negotiations, and believes that the conclusion of such a treaty will be of great significance in the promotion of nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. As early as March 1999, Chinese President Jiang Zemin, in delivering his address to the CD, made an appeal that "negotiations should be conducted as soon as possible for the conclusion of a universal and verifiable Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty," and expressed his conviction that 'such a treaty, once concluded, will be yet another major achievement after CTBT in the promotion of nuclear disarmament and prevention of nuclear proliferation.'

Owing to a series of negative events known to all in the field of disarmament and arms control in recent years, the negotiation on FMCT has not yet started. This is not what we wish to see. I would like to take this opportunity to stress that China's position on FMCT has not changed. We still favor an early start of the related negotiations in the CD, and intend to participate in the negotiation process at any time once the program of work of the CD is reached.

In view of the current situation of international security and arms control, the Chinese delegation is of the opinion that the core issues of the CD, including PAROS, fissile material cut-off, nuclear disarmament and negative security assurance (NSA), should be given equal importance and dealt with in a balanced way. PAROS is just as important as fissile material cut-off, if not more. As such, there is no reason for the Ad Hoc Committee on PAROS not to begin its substantive work so as to reach an international legal instrument on preventing the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space. The delegation of the Russian Federation has put forward a good proposal on the program of work of the CD, which is contained in document CD/1644. We expect the CD to start on this basis its substantive work concerning the above-mentioned issues as early as possible."

{Updated 11/1/2005}