For the first time in 20 years, and only the third time ever, China has released a new white paper providing a comprehensive statement of China’s policy on “Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation in the New Era.” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reported in today’s press briefing that China had released white papers on arms control twice, in 1995 and 2005. Given the historical juncture of the 80th anniversaries of the victory against Japanese aggression and fascism worldwide and of the founding of the United Nations, in the context of today’s very complex global situation, the decision was made to issue a new paper.
Guo characterized the white paper as “a concrete measure for China to actively practice the Global Security Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative.”
EIR has yet to review the White Paper. Guo situated it, however, within the current international security and arms-control situation, which he described as “complex and severe. Regional conflicts and turmoil are becoming more frequent, and the international arms race continues to escalate. Today, humanity again has to choose between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation, win-win cooperation and zero-sum game. It once again finds itself at a historic crossroads.
“The white paper systematically states China’s views and policies on the international security and arms control situation in the new era, and comprehensively elaborates on China’s positive endeavor, practical measures and remarkable achievements in constructively participating in the process of international arms control over the past 20 years,” he said.
Guo added that China seeks through the White Paper to “actively contribute … China’s wisdom, initiatives and solutions, and is committed to improving the international security environment, enhancing international security cooperation, resolving international security dilemmas and improving global security governance.”
As “a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of international order … China is willing to work with all peace-loving countries to advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, consolidate and develop the international arms control system with the United Nations at its core, and build a community with a shared future for humanity.”
