China has firmly supported the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in its work with other States Parties to regulate the trade in conventional arms and improve global governance of the arms trade, said Shen Jian, Chinese Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs, on Monday in Geneva.
In the general debate speech at the 10th Conference of States Parties (CSP10) to the ATT, Shen pointed out that as the only legally binding instrument within the UN framework regulating global conventional arms trade, the ATT plays a special role in maintaining world peace and stability and promoting global security governance.
China's formal accession to the treaty in 2020 fully demonstrates its sincerity and determination in upholding the global governance system, supporting multilateralism, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.
Shen emphasized that China has always been a firm supporter, faithful doer, and active contributor to the treaty on global governance of the arms trade. On issues related to the arms trade, China consistently adopts a cautious and responsible attitude, establishing a comprehensive system of policies and regulations for military exports and strictly adhering to the three principles of export of military products, the ambassador said, adding that China opposes adding fuel to the fire in regional conflicts, as well as politicizing or instrumentalizing the arms trade or the treaty itself.
China is willing to work hand in hand with the international community to continuously enhance the authority and vitality of the treaty, making new contributions to achieving global common security and lasting peace, he said.
The Arms Trade Treaty was adopted by the UN General Assembly on April 2, 2013 and entered into force on Dec. 24, 2014. As of now, the treaty has a total of 115 States Parties.
China firmly supports ATT to improve global governance of arms trade: ambassador
China firmly supports ATT to improve global governance of arms trade: ambassador
After more than three months at sea, members of China's 16th Arctic Ocean expedition have jointly created a painting that captures both the triumphs and trials of polar scientific research.
Organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the expedition deployed four ships, Xuelong, Xuelong 2, Jidi, and Tansuo 3, to study extreme environmental changes in the Arctic against the backdrop of accelerating global warming. On September 29, Xuelong and Xuelong 2 returned to Shanghai after completing their missions.
During the voyage, China Media Group (CMG) reporters aboard Xuelong invited nearly 100 crew members to collaborate on a canvas, sharing their experiences. The painting depicts the difficulties and challenges they faced, the honors and expectations of their research, and the images of those dedicated to science.
Before any crew member ever picked up a brush, the Arctic had already sketched the background with its extreme weather. Strong winds, torrents, and a harsh environment posed major challenges for the researchers.
"After staying outside for some five or ten minutes, our hands would already be frozen red. When we reached the trough of the waves [on a boat], it would look as if the waves were coming right over our heads," recalled Zhu Chengwei, an expedition member.
Despite the hardship, the researchers successfully tested and used domestically produced advanced ocean observation equipment in polar research -- one of their proudest moments, which they recorded on the canvas.
Qin Chuan, captain of the Xuelong ocean team, chose to paint a domestically produced monitor float.
"This is an Argo float we deployed, which automatically monitors ocean profiles. It has great significance for understanding the basic marine environment, and it's made in China," he said.
Xie Haixiang, director of the Xuelong laboratory, sketched a fundamental research equipment for the trip.
"I will draw a CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth instrument). The CTD is the most important equipment for ocean surveys, providing the most basic data and water samples," he said.
"Only by carrying equipment onto the Arctic sea ice yourself and lowering the instruments, can you get what you want. For instance, we take a little ocean water, and analyze what's in it, to understand the changes each year. Global warming needs to be understood through different dimensions," recalled researcher Zhu.
Beyond the canvas, what stands out even more striking are the moments of dedication: veteran members leading newcomers onto the ice, a group holding its ground in level-8 gales and heavy snow, and 30 people relaying to recover equipment stuck in the ice.
The most important element, beyond any record or image in the painting, is this group of expedition members who fear no hardship.
"Whenever I think of the polar spirit, countless images of those standing at the very front would flash before my eyes," Zhu said.
"What we have done today will benefit future generations. Although we are doing something that may seem very insignificant, I believe it will surely prove its worth in the future,"said Ning Wenfeng, another team member.
China's 16th Arctic expedition crews paint portrait of proud polar expedition moments, hardships
