China reiterates willingness to strengthen cooperation with OPCW

(ECNS) -- China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) having achieved significant results over the 27 years since its implementation, said Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong on Wednesday.

Jin met with a delegation led by OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias in Beijing on Wednesday, discussing topics including the reform of industrial verification regime and the impact of the chemical industry and new technologies.

The OPCW has played a crucial role in global security governance, receiving widespread international recognition, he stated.

China is willing to balance the need for effective control of chemical weapons risks with the needs of economic, technological, and industrial development, aiming to address new compliance challenges with innovative thinking while ensuring regional balance, according to Jin.

Arias said that China's strict adherence to the CWC and its outstanding contributions to world peace have been praised by all states parties.

He expressed gratitude for China's long-term support of the OPCW's work, hoping to enhance communication and cooperation with China to address the impacts of complex international situations, chemical industry developments, and new technologies such as chemistry and artificial intelligence on compliance of OPCW.