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China pushes for landmine elimination
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-12-04 00:10
The Chinese Government "endorses the purposes and objectives of the Ottawa
Convention."
What's more, the country is willing to do its part to quickly solved problems
connected to landmines, a senior official said in Nairobi Friday.
While addressing the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World held from Monday to
Friday, Liu Jieyi, head of the Chinese Observer Delegation, said the Ottawa
Convention represents another important international effort to address the
acute problems caused by anti-personnel landmines.
The convention, which became effective on March 1, 1999 and has been formally
ratified by 144 states, seeks to end the suffering caused by anti-personnel
mines by prohibiting their use, requiring the destruction of existing
stockpiles, and obliging states to clear mined areas and assist victims.
China fully appreciates and has supported international efforts to resolve
problems caused by landmines, Liu said.
"People command first priority" is a philosophy deeply rooted in Chinese
history, said Liu, adding that the Chinese Government endorses the convention's
purposes and objectives although China hasn't signed the treaty.
Being director-general of the Arms Control and Disarmament Department of
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Liu said the Chinese Government has made
unremitting efforts to help mine-afflicted countries through various programmes
in practical ways, which are fully in line with the spirit enshrined in the
Ottawa Convention signed in 1997.
According to Liu, in the 1990s, the Chinese Government carried out
large-scale de-mining operations in areas along the border and basically
eliminated landmine problems on its territory, which provided the local
communities with a safe living and working environment.
In addition, Chinese military authorities have recently launched a new round
of de-mining operation in areas where border demarcation is in progress.
Since 1998, the Chinese Government has actively contributed to mine actions
in around 10 countries in Asia and Africa by providing funds, de-mining
equipment and training programmes.
In recent years, China has stepped up its co-operation with relevant
institutions of the United Nations by joining the Mine Action Supporting Group
and participating in the UN landmine policy review process.
Earlier this year, the Chinese Government and the Australian Network of
International Campaign to Ban Landmines co-sponsored a workshop in Kunming,
capital city of Yunnan Province in Southwest China. The workshop was highly
successful in promoting exchanges and co-operation between major donors and
mine-affected countries.
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