International Meeting
2003 World Conference against A & H Bombs



Bao Chu Jian
Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament (CPAPD)


Respected Chairman of the Conference
Ladies and gentlemen
Dear friends:

Today, I take a great pleasure to attend this World Conference against A & H Bombs as an observer for the first time. First of all, please allow me on behalf of peace workers from the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament to express our warmest regards to you all, and especially those Hibakushas who have suffered so much from the nuclear explosion in Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as Hibakushas from other parts of the world. Hot in August in Japan, particularly in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but the atmosphere in which peace promoters coming from every corner of the earth express their strong desire for a nuclear-free and peaceful world is hotter. I am so deeply impressed that I have become more confident of success of our cause.

Here are my personal comments on some current global hot issues: Firstly, regarding the current international situation, the world is in an unprecedented historic period of profound changes with in-depth reconfiguration of various forces and the pattern of interests. The factors of traditional and non-traditional threats to security are interwoven, the damages caused by terrorism are rising, and the gap between the North and the South is further broadening. It should be noted that hegemonism, power politics and so-called "preemptive strategy" pursued by the Bush administration are bringing about new uncertainties to the world development. The world is far from tranquility and the human race is confronting grave challenges. The basic trend for development of the international situation in a period to come will be characterized by overall peace with local wars, overall relaxation with local tension, overall stability with local chaos. As peace workers, we believe that the world needs peace and it is a priority for all of us to pursue development in the course of keeping peace and stability.

Secondly, regarding the current international developments of arms control and disarmament, there is no denying the fact that the global strategy pursued by the American military establishments for hegemonic superiority influences the course of development of international peace, arms control and non-proliferation. On the one hand, the further build-up of its military advantages in defiance of the international arms control treaties and the international laws helps to broaden the strength gap with any possible potential counterparts. On the other hand, the Bush military team has carried out preemptive operations to strike at, frighten, contain and take sanctions against any alien contras and brandished some favorable international instruments and even American laws to reduce or eliminate any obstacles. This behavior throws the international arms control and disarmament process into difficulties, which should draw our attention.

Thirdly, regarding the current trends in the Koizumi administration. On June 6, the House of Senate gave green light to three related bills, known as Bills on Responding to Armed Attacks, on Amending the self-defense Forces Law and on Amending the Law Governing the Security Council of Japan. On July 26, the House of Senate passed another bill on Special Measures for Supporting the Iraqi Reconstruction allowing dispatch of self-defense personnel of about 1000 to Iraq in the coming October. These developments have aroused worries of the other Asian countries that still remember the past, and have certainly undermined the security and stability in northeast Asia at large.

Finally, regarding the nuclear issues in the DPRK. Nowadays, we peace workers in China are paying due attention to the nuclear issues in the DPRK. All know that China and the DPRK are closely linked by common mountains and rivers. Last month, the special envoy of the Chinese government shuttled among the Russian Federation, the DPRK and the United States in order to promote the solution of the problem. We sincerely hope that through dialogue and concerted efforts by the international community, the tense situation caused by the nuclear issues in the DPRK will be settled as soon as possible so as to maintain the peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. It is our sincere hope that the Korean peninsula should become nuclear-free, and the security concern of the DPRK be respected. We pin our sincere hope on the successful efforts of our government.

Dear friends and experts: as it is known that the world peace movement has reached a new high tide since the beginning of this year. It helps to hold back the unilateralism, hegemonism and preemptive strategy of the Bush administration. The world peace movement has broad prospects. Since we share the world-village, we should make it a big happy family. The peace, stability and development of the world-village are with the people, by the people, for the people. China always advocates the comprehensive prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. Since the first day when it came into possession of nuclear weapons, China has unilaterally undertaken non-first use of nuclear weapons anytime and under any circumstances, and unconditionally committed itself not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones. China has actively supported international arms control and disarmament treaties, the multilateral arms control and disarmament process, and international non-proliferation efforts and consistently calls for broad participation of the international community in establishing and strengthening multilateral non-proliferation regimes.

Friends and experts, Ladies and gentlemen:
May we join our hands to work together for totally banning and eliminating the nuclear weapons as well as other weapons of mass destruction, and make unremitting efforts to build a more peaceful and better world!

No more Hibakushas!

Thanks.