Mr. President,

At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ambassador Andrabi on assuming the presidency of the Conference on Disarmament (CD). You can count on China’s full support during your presidency. I thank you for convening today’s plenary meeting, and also thank Ambassador Carlos Foradori, the Permanent Representative of Argentina, for his presentation.

Mr. President,

In May this year, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in his keynote speech at the meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance, put forward nine priorities for reforming and improving global governance. He stressed the need to strengthen governance in new frontiers such as cyberspace and outer space, always use outer space for peaceful purposes, oppose an arms race in and the weaponization of outer space, and safeguard the shared rights and interests of all countries in the peaceful use of outer space.

The prevention of an arms race in outer space, or PAROS, and ensuring the peaceful use of outer space have long been a common aspiration of the international community. They are also among the most pressing priorities and objectives for safeguarding outer space security today. In recent years, a certain country, clinging to a Cold War mentality and seeking dominance in outer space, has openly defined outer space as a “war-fighting domain”, vigorously advanced plans for military buildup and capability development in outer space, pushed forward the “Golden Dome” missile defense system, integrated commercial space capabilities into military operations, and sought to build military alliances in outer space. These moves have intensified confrontation and competition in outer space and heightened the risks of turning outer space into a battlefield and weaponizing it, further underscoring the urgency and necessity of preventing an arms race in outer space.

Mr. President,

PAROS is one of the most important items on the agenda of the Conference on Disarmament. The first Special Session of the General Assembly devoted to Disarmament in 1978 made clear that measures should be taken and appropriate international negotiations undertaken to prevent an arms race in outer space. Since 1981, the General Assembly has adopted resolutions every year by an overwhelming majority calling on the Conference on Disarmament to negotiate an international legally binding instrument on PAROS. 

China supports continued in-depth discussions among members of the Conference on Disarmament on PAROS, with a view to commencing substantive work at an early date on negotiating an international instrument on PAROS.

First, we should stay firmly committed to the fundamental objective of preventing an arms race in outer space. Both history and reality show that the original purpose of PAROS is to oppose attempts to seek dominance in outer space, oppose the weaponization of outer space, oppose turning outer space into a battlefield, and prevent superpowers from extending an arms race into outer space, thereby effectively safeguarding peace and tranquility in outer space.

Preventing the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space must be the prerequisite and fundamental direction for safeguarding outer space security. Without preventing the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space and preserving its peaceful nature, there can be no genuine outer space security or lasting peace.

Second, we should remain committed to advancing negotiations on a legally binding instrument on outer space arms control. Addressing threats in outer space in a comprehensive, non-discriminatory and legally binding manner is the fundamental way to prevent an arms race in outer space. Non-legally binding measures may serve as a supplement, but cannot substitute for negotiations on a legally binding instrument. The international community needs to act without delay to advance negotiations on an international legally binding instrument on outer space arms control, fill the gaps in the existing international legal regime governing outer space, and provide the most fundamental and effective safeguard for preventing an arms race in outer space and ensuring its peaceful use.

Third, we should make full use of the existing achievements and consensus. Over the years, the Conference on Disarmament has conducted extensive discussions on PAROS and accumulated a wealth of valuable outcomes. In 2022, the Conference established a relevant subsidiary body and reached agreement on its report. Last year, the Conference once again established Subsidiary Body 3. Although a report could not be adopted due to the obstruction of an individual country, delegations nevertheless engaged in useful discussions. In 2024, the Group of Governmental Experts on PAROS adopted its report by consensus, demonstrating that there is already a sound and broad-based foundation and consensus for advancing negotiations on a legally binding instrument on outer space arms control.

The draft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects, or PPWT, jointly submitted by China and Russia to the Conference on Disarmament, provides an important basis for such work. By explicitly prohibiting the placement of weapons in outer space and the threat or use of force against outer space objects, the draft treaty directly addresses the core security challenges facing outer space. China hopes that all parties will continue to support the draft PPWT proposed by China and Russia and welcomes constructive comments and proposals from all sides.

Mr. President,

Guided by the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and taking the implementation of the four Global Initiatives as an opportunity, China stands ready to work with all parties to prevent an arms race in and the weaponization of outer space, promote substantive progress in the Conference on Disarmament on the PAROS agenda at an early date, and fundamentally safeguard lasting peace and security in outer space.

Thank you, Mr. President.