Chinese envoy calls for multifaceted approach in tackling illicit small weapons trade

The illicit trade of small and light weapons and their excessive stockpiles have created very prominent dangers, said a Chinese envoy to the UN Wednesday, urging "multifaceted approach" to tackle the issue.

"The current international security situation is complex and fraught with volatility. Terrorism is spreading. Organized crimes are on the rise. The illicit trade of small and light weapons and their excessive stockpiles have created very prominent dangers," Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN told a Security Council meeting held here Wednesday.

Globalization, informationalization and the revolution of new technology have given many new features to this trade, said Liu, noting the fight against such illicit trade have become more complicated and arduous.

The Security Council should continue to play a positive role in strengthening the international efforts to fight against the illicit trade of small and light weapons and prevent harm on the humanitarian front, said Liu. He suggested a "multifaceted approach" should be taken to deal with the problem in an integrated manner.

"The international community should learn from the lessons in history. Political and diplomatic means should be used to solve disputes to maintain international and regional peace and stability and eliminate the motivation for the illicit trade," he said.

Liu added that further efforts should be taken for peacekeeping operation and post-conflict reconstruction to provide solid assistance to the countries concerned to achieve economic development and social stability so as to stop the illicit trade at the root.

The Chinese diplomat said that the United Nations should assume full leadership in the fight against illicit trade of small and light weapons, adding that source control should be strengthened in order to break the chain of supply of such weapons. The envoy also called for enhanced international cooperation and further assistance in this area.

The Chinese government has always opposed the illicit trade of small and light weapons and has put in place a comprehensive export-control system including the certificate for end-users, export licenses among others.

"We do not transfer arms to countries or regions under arms embargo of the UN Security Council, nor to non-state actors or individuals," he said.

Over the recent years, China has vigorously supported and taken an active part in the international and regional cooperation in the fight against the illicit trade, while making painstaking efforts to strengthen domestic legislation and law enforcement in this regard.

"China is ready to join the rest of the international community in an unremitting effort to promote the elimination of the illicit trade and resolve the problem of excessive stockpile and their abuse," he said. Endite