China attaches importance to the issue of cluster munitions and is ready to work with other countries to solve the humanitarian concerns caused by such weapons, a senior Chinese diplomat said in Geneva on Monday.

 

"The Chinese government is dedicated to working with the international community in seeking realistic and feasible ways to resolve the humanitarian concerns caused by cluster munitions," said Wang Qun, Chinese ambassador for disarmament affairs.

 

Wang was addressing a regular meeting of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) of the state parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).

 

He said a series of fruitful efforts have been carried out in recent years regarding the issue of cluster munitions, including the conclusion and entry-into-force of the Protocol on the Explosive Remnants of War.

 

The state parties have also established the GGE to negotiate a proposal to address the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions, he added.

 

"The Chinese delegation will actively participate in the work of the GGE and make its due contributions to the CCW process in addressing the problem of cluster munitions," Wang said.

 

According to the ambassador, the issue of cluster munitions involves military, technical and legal aspects, so comprehensive measures are needed to resolve the humanitarian concerns caused by cluster munitions.

 

"Such measures should be pertinent and address both the symptoms and root causes of the problem," he stressed.

 

Wang also suggested measures focusing on the using and post-war clearance of cluster munitions.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2008)