Remarks by Ambassador SHEN Jian at the Thematic Plenary Meeting of the CD on Relationship between Disarmament and Development

Mr. President,

I thank you for calling this plenary meeting, and thank the panelists for their presentations. Today’s discussion is a good opportunity for us to consider the relationship between disarmament and development, review the history of, and the common understandings made during the inter-governmental processes under the framework of the UN, and discuss how to handle the relationship between disarmament and development and work towards both goals under the current circumstances.

Mr. President,

As changes unseen in a century unfold, our world is entering a new period of turbulence and transformation. The Cold War mentality has made a comeback, geopolitical conflicts are worsening, and regional security hotspots keep flaring up. The global armament level keeps rising, stalling and even reversing the progress of international arms control and disarmament. Certain countries, in pursuit of absolute military advantage, keep ramping up military expenditure, strengthening military alliances and growing advanced combat capabilities. These actions heighten the risks of a new round of arms race and even military conflicts of a larger scale.

Meanwhile, as global economic recovery remains sluggish, unilateralism and protectionism are becoming rampant. Attempts to build “small yard, high fence” and “technological iron curtain”, and to decouple and sever supply chains have set back the progress of globalization. We see widened North-South divide, bigger development gap and a worse-off technology divide. Countries, developing ones in particular, face severe challenges in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mr. President,

The Final document of SSOD-I emphasized that peace, security and economic and social development are indivisible, and that disarmament contributes to economic and social development. The final document of the 1987 International Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development stated that “Disarmament and development are two pillars on which enduring international peace and security can be built.” After the end of the Cold War, the General Assembly adopts, on an annual basis, the resolution entitled “Relationship between disarmament and development”, which reflects the international community’s aspiration for moving forward the disarmament process and realizing development. Taking a look back at these milestones are significant and relevant under the current circumstances.

We live in a community with a shared future, where our interests are intertwined and our security common. Security is a fundamental need of humanity, and a most important international public good. Development, on the other hand, is our eternal pursuit, and countries’ common responsibility. Security is a basic prerequisite for development, and development is a fundamental safeguard for security. The goal of our disarmament efforts is to enhance security, and the security shall be a universal one, enjoyed by all countries.

In recent years, faced with ever-worsening deficits in peace, development, security and governance, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Security Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, promoting a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and calling on countries to step up solidarity and mutual trust, prioritize development, and make a joint response to challenges. These Initiatives serve as important guidance for us in handling the relationship between disarmament and development, and moving forward the international disarmament and development processes.

First, we need to uphold the vision of common security. Countries, no matter their size, wealth or strength, are equally entitled to the enjoyment of security, and such security is indivisible. We need to reject the Cold War mentality and unilateralism, take seriously each others’ legitimate security concerns, and oppose the willful expansion of military alliances at the cost of others’ security space. Only when causes for countries’ insecurity are removed, and differences and disputes resolved through dialogue and negotiation, will the motivation for an arms race be eliminated, and the necessary conditions be met for reducing global armament level and realizing comprehensive, full disarmament. In this regard, we need to stay alert to the attempts of some military-industrial complexes and interest groups of certain countries, driven by huge profit from war, conflict and rivalries, to manipulate domestic politics, hype up military threat of other countries, agitate confrontation, create conflict and even stir up wars.

Second, we need to strike a right balance between development and security. The development of a country hinges upon its national security and social stability. Without such security and stability, there won’t be national development to speak of. Countries have the right to maintaining necessary national defence power for their national security. Disarmament must not be made a tool of geopolitical containment by a handful of countries, still less a means for some to optimize their military capability and to gain unilateral security advantage. In the meantime, history shows that unrestricted military expansion will surely weigh on a country’s economic development, and contribute little to safeguarding peace and security. Disarmament shall create the conditions for countries, especially developing ones, to free up resources for their national development.

Third, we need to give full play to the core role of the UN. The UN shall promote in parallel the work of its three pillars, i.e., security, development and human rights, scale up coordination and cooperation among UN bodies, UN specialized agencies and the Member States, deliver on existing outcomes and expand common understanding on disarmament and development, and act as a main channel in risk management of AI and other emerging technologies and in the promotion of the welfare of humanity. China hopes to see the Summit of the Future focus on prominent issues such as sustainable development, peace and security and global governance, and help implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Fourth, we need to move forward the international arms control and disarmament process. The international arms control and disarmament system is integral to the global security order. Consolidating and strengthening the current international arms control and disarmament system is necessary to safeguarding international peace and stability, and to ensuring that all countries could share in the dividends of security. All countries should uphold true multilateralism, maintain the authority and effectiveness of multilateral arms control treaties, and strive for a more stable and enduring global security environment, so as to create favorable conditions for sustainable development of all countries.

Fifth, we need to advocate openness and inclusiveness, and promote the international cooperation on peaceful use of technology. Certain country must refrain from over-stretching the concept of national security, create technological barriers, and impose unilateral coercive measures under the pretexts of “non-proliferation” and “national security”. All countries need to act on their obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and other international disarmament instruments, and promote non-discriminatory exchanges and cooperation in relevant technological areas. The China-sponsored UNGA Resolution entitled “Promoting international cooperation on peaceful uses in the context of international security” aims to scale up international cooperation on peaceful uses and help countries, especially developing ones, share in the dividends of technology and development.

Mr. President,

China is committed to the path of peaceful development, pursues the defense policy that is defensive in nature, and abides by its commitment of no-first-use of nuclear weapons. While meeting the requirements of its national security interests, China always keeps its defense capabilities at the minimum level required for national security.

China attaches importance to international arms control and disarmament endeavors, has successively acceded to and act on relevant international disarmament treaties, and is committed to safeguarding and strengthening international arms control and disarmament system. China supports the international arms control process on conventional weapons, support the implementation of Silencing the Guns Initiative in Africa, and will continue to support the realization of security and development on the African continent. Leveraging its experience and expertise, China actively carries out international cooperation and assistance on humanitarian demining. China participates actively in and contributes to UN peace-keeping missions. Thousands of Chinese peace keepers are making their contribution to safeguarding peace and security and promoting development and growth. China has delivered on a number of projects under the China-UN Peace and Development Fund, thus contributing to eliminating the root causes of conflicts, building resilience and realizing lasting peace.

Mr. President,

The Conference on Disarmament carries the hope of humanity for beat swords into plowshares and achieving peace and development. It has played a significant role in the history of international arms control and disarmament, and made historic contribution to safeguarding international peace and security, and promoting the common development of humanity.

China is ready to work with all parties to move forward the international arms control and disarmament process, and renew our contribution to building a world of lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.

Thank you, Mr. President.