The Chinese Delegation voted against the draft decision “Addressing the Possession and Use of Chemical Weapons by the Syrian Arab Republic”. I’d like to explain our vote.

Two years ago, some States Parties forcibly pushed for by vote the adoption of controversial decision “Addressing the Threat from Chemical Weapons Use ”. Many countries including China raised questions to the establishment of the Investigation and Identification Team as well as its working methodology and procedure. While these questions yet to be addressed, some States Parties once again pushed for a vote on another draft decision “Addressing the Possession and Use of Chemical Weapons by the Syrian Arab Republic”. Such practice is not constructive. It would only create polarization and confrontation among States Parties, and lead to further politicization of the work of the OPCW. Therefore, as well as considering the existing position of China on attribution of the use of chemical weapons, China voted against the above-mentioned draft decision.

Currently, the work of the OPCW is facing grave challenges. Dialogue is replaced by voting. States Parties divide and confront with each other on the issue of attribution. The departure point of China on addressing the issue of attribution is to maintain the authority and integrity of the CWC. This is a matter of principle. For any alleged use of chemical weapons that may happen in any State Party, impartial, objective investigation should be carried out on the basis of facts with the CWC as the yardstick. Every State Party is equal before the CWC. All States Parties have the responsibility and obligation to safeguard the effectiveness and integrity of the CWC and the OPCW, rather than going further down on the wrong path and letting the OPCW degrade into a geographic political tool used by some States Parties to suppress others. It is a matter of vital security and interest of every State Party. China calls upon once again all States Parties to address the issue of chemical weapons in Syria in strict accordance with the CWC, so as to maintain the authority and effectiveness of the CWC.