Mr. Chairperson,
Thank you for your leadership and the substantial preparatory work undertaken by the Secretariat. Since you assumed the responsibility of the Chairperson of the GGE, you have guided all parties to have in-depth discussion on such key issues as definition and characterization of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems(LAWS) and application of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and formulated a rolling text, thereby laying a robust foundation for our deliberations in the second session and future discussions. China appreciates it and stands ready to work closely with you and all parities to reach and broaden consensus.
Mr. Chairperson,
LAWS is a product of scientific and technological development and new military revolution. The related issues, involving a range of factors, are of a complicated nature. All parties should heed the grim potential of a new arms race and act on the principles of equal, common and universal security in handling LAWS-related issues. Consensus-building in this field is essential. In this regard, the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons(CCW) serves as the most appropriate venue for addressing LAWS issues. China hopes that the GGE will continue to make progress on the basis of the 11 Guiding Principles and other consensus, and reach substantive conclusions by 2026.
Mr. Chairperson,
China is an active advocate and early practitioner in regulating military applications of Artificial Intelligence(AI). In 2021, China submitted its position paper on regulating military applications of AI to CCW. In October 2023, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global AI Governance Initiative reiterating relevant position. China proposes the following key principles:
Firstly, AI for good. Military applications of AI should contribute to the peace and development in the world. Secondly, prudent and responsible attitude. Countries, especially major powers, need to develop and apply AI technology in the military field in a prudent and responsible manner, refrain from seeking military hegemony and undermining the sovereignty and security of other countries. Thirdly, human-oriented manner. Necessary human-machine interaction should be implemented throughout the life cycle of weapon systems to ensure that they remain under human control. Fourthly, agile governance. We should strengthen forward-looking risk assessment and implement tiered and categorized management. Fifthly, multilateralism. All countries should jointly explore solutions to issues related to military applications of AI and establish an international mechanism with universal participation.
Mr. Chairperson,
In terms of the focus of the work at the next stage, China believes that it is a crucial and foundational work to achieve a common understanding of definition and characterization of LAWS. To this end, China proposes: Firstly, descriptions of definition and characterization should be objective, based on neutral stance and refraining from the use of subjective terms. Secondly, the scope should be limited to “weapon systems”, excluding civilian items. Thirdly, both the current status and future developments of technology and laws should be taken into consideration. Last but not least, we can clarify which weapon systems do not fall under LAWS. In the absence of an immediate consensus on definition, China agrees to elaborate a working characterization of LAWS in this stage, provided that such descriptions do not prejudice future formal statements on definition and characterization in formulating future international instruments.
China fully recognizes the applicability of IHL in the field of LAWS, but there are still uncertainties as to whether IHL can sufficiently handle all the new challenges posed by LAWS. For instance, whether LAWS have the capability to discern and act in accordance with the requirements of distinction and proportionality in the battlefield, as well as how to attribute the responsibility and determine the accountability of the use of LAWS. It deserves further discussions on these specific matters. It is recommended that the GGE could further elaborate the interpretation, application and implementation of specific rules of IHL, taking into consideration the nature of emerging military technologies, their modes of operation and the operational environment. This would facilitate the development of an international legally binding instrument in the field of LAWS based on clear definition.
Mr. Chairperson,
China will maintain its active involvement in all discussions pertaining to LAWS and support to accumulate further consensus step by step under the CCW framework.
Thank you.