The OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, visited China from 6 – 9 June 2015. On 9 June, the Director-General welcomed the active role China plays in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) during a meeting with Mr Yang Jiechi, State Councillor. The Director-General also met with Mr Li Yang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Arms Control and Disarmament at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The discussions concerning matters of mutual interest to China and the OPCW were fruitful and productive. The Director-General was briefed by Chinese officials on progress made towards destroying chemical weapons abandoned by Japan on the territory of China.
The Director-General also met with Mr. Zhao Jungui, Vice Chairman for the Chinese Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF), who provided a detailed briefing on the chemical industry in China, and suggested that the OPCW and CPCIF should explore possibilities for future cooperation.
Ambassador Üzümcü also delivered a lecture [PDF – 72 KB] at Tsinghua University. In his remarks, the Director-General underscored the need to expand the reach of the CWC in universities, scientific communities and industry to help foster a culture of responsible science worldwide. He emphasised the importance of education and outreach in maintaining the widest possible support for chemical disarmament from civil society.