China joins the Arms Trade Treaty: a new step to uphold multilateralism

H.E. Ambassador Zhang Jun, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, deposited the instrument of accession to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at UN Headquarters in New York on July 6. China's accession to the ATT marks another significant step in supporting multilateralism and forging a community with a shared future for humankind, as stated by Amb. Zhang after the deposit of the instrument of accession.

The ATT, which entered into force on Dec 24 2014, aims to regulate the conventional arms trade covering battle tanks, armored vehicles, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, large-caliber artillery, missiles and missile launchers, and small arms and light weapons. To date, there are 107 State Parties to the ATT. It is notable that the US revoked its signature to the ATT in April 2019.

As is known to all, the illicit arms trade and misuse of conventional arms fuel civil wars and regional conflicts, bolster violence by terrorists and other non-state actors or armed groups, destabilize peace and security, hamper sustainable development of countries and regions involved and cause serious humanitarian concerns. Compared to the weapons of mass destruction, the conventional arms resulted in more casualties in reality. As indicated by the UN reported data, death toll caused by the small arms and light weapons reaches up to 200,000 annually.

Recognizing the nexus between disarmament, arms control and development, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres characterizes the conventional arms control as part of "disarmament that saves lives" in his new disarmament agenda entitled "Securing Our Common Future" launched in 2018. All UN Member States were called upon to significantly reduce illicit arms flow in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

China has all along supported international efforts in addressing the security and humanitarian concerns arising from illicit trade and diversion of conventional arms. In particular, China has actively participated in the negotiations of the ATT and made its contributions to the conclusion of the Treaty. China fully supports the purpose and objective of the ATT and participated in all the five Conferences of States Parties as an observer since 2015.

At national level, China has put in place a full-fledged policy and legal framework and exercises strict control on conventional arms export. China's arms export strictly follows three principles: i) conducive to the legitimate self-defense capability of the recipient country; ii) not undermine peace, security and stability of the region concerned and the world as a whole; ii) non-interference in the internal affairs of the recipient country. China exports arms to sovereign states only and not to any non-state actors. China calls for other states to follow suit.

China's accession to the ATT is consistent with its above-mentioned national positions and efforts. The deposit of the instrument of accession completes China's legal procedures for its accession to the ATT, which were initiated last September as announced by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in his address at the 74th UN General Assembly. The Treaty will enter into force for China in 90 days following the date of the deposit of the instrument of accession.

"China is ready to march on with the ATT", as tweeted by Amb. FU Cong, the Director-General of the Department of Arms Control of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. China's accession will, no doubt, enhance the effectiveness of the ATT, as well as its universality. This is also a convincing testimony to China's willingness to uphold multilateralism, support international arms control efforts, and safeguard international and regional peace and stability.

The author is a Beijing-based observer on international affairs