Mr. President，
The Weaponization of Outer Space and Its Negative Consequences
The peaceful use of outer space is in the interest of all peoples of the world. The undertakings in such areas as communication， navigation， meteorology， remote sensing， culture， and disaster reduction have come to be intricately linked with the peaceful use of outer space.
However， as nuclear energy per se can be both used as a clean and efficient energy and nuclear weapon， outer space can also benefit all while at the same time harbor fresh military confrontations and threats.
With the rapid development of outer space technology， out space， the once-deemed “high frontier”， has been attached with increasing military value. Such combat theories and concepts as “control of outer space， power projection into and through outer space” as well as the R&D of outer space weapons have found their ways into implementation. It is no exaggeration to say that outer space would become the fourth battlefield after land， sea and air should we sit on our hands watching the above developments.
The deployment of weapons in outer space would result in a series of grave fallouts： breaking strategic balance and stability， undermining international and national security， damaging existing arms control treaties， particularly agreements related to nuclear weapons and missiles， and triggering an arms race. In addition， the deployment and use of weapons in outer space would seriously threaten the security of outer space assets and bring harm to the Earth's biosphere. The testing of outer space weapons in the low Earth orbits would aggravate the already acute problem of “space debris”。
The Lacunae of Existing International Legal Regime related to Outer Space
Facing the risk of the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space， existing international legal regime related to outer space displayed its lacunae， i.e.， it falls short in preventing and prohibiting the deployment and use of weapons other than those of mass destruction in outer space； and in preventing and prohibiting the use or threat of force from the Earth's surface against outer space objects.
Efforts by the International Community
Over years， the international community has endeavoured on many fronts in preventing the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space. The Conference on Disarmament （CD） at Geneva had set up the ad hoc committee for ten consecutive years from 1985 to 1994 discussing relevant issues. The UN General Assembly has， for many years without interruption， overwhelmingly adopted （with no negative votes） the resolution of “Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space”。 The UN Secretary General and many people of insight had repeated their calls for attaching importance to this issue. Canada， Sri Lanka， France， Sweden， Italy and many others have also come up with their own constructive proposals.
In 2002， China and Russia， along with Vietnam， Indonesia， Belarus， Zimbabwe and Syria Arab Republic， tabled in the CD a working paper entitled “POSSIBLE ELEMENTS FOR A FUTURE INTERNATIONAL LEGAL AGREEMENT ON THE PREVENTION OF THE DEPLOYMENT OF WEAPONS IN OUTER SPACE， THE THREAT OR USE OF FORCE AGAINST OUTER SPACE OBJECTS” （contained in CD/1679）。 It is our hope that the CD can take this document as a basis for negotiating and concluding a new outer space legal instrument. This document contains the following basic obligations：
- Not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying any kinds of weapons， not to install such weapons on celestial bodies， or not to station such weapons in outer space in any other manner.
- Not to resort to the threat or use of force against outer space objects.
- Not to assist or encourage other States， groups of States， international organizations to participate in activities prohibited by this Treaty.
CD/1679 is still evolving and improving. All relevant sides have put up their pertinent suggestions and proposals for the document. In this regard， after in-depth study， the Delegations of China and the Russian Federation distributed in the CD two non-papers entitled “Existing International Legal Instruments and the Prevention of the Weaponization of Outer Space” and “Verification Aspects of PAROS”。 All are welcomed in joining the discussion on above issues so as to put the future substantive work of the outer space ad hoc committee on a better footing.
It is the hope of the Chinese Delegation that the CD could take up as soon as possible， as the UN General Assembly relevant resolution stipulates， “the primary role in the negotiation of a multilateral agreement or agreements， as appropriate， on the prevention of an arms race in outer space in its all aspects.”
Peace， development and cooperation represent the trend of the times. An early conclusion of an international legal instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space is conducive to maintaining peaceful use of outer space， facilitating related international cooperation and promoting common security for all. Let's make concerted efforts in preserving the vastness of outer space a tranquil place for the benefit of our future generations.
Thank you， Mr. President.
主席先生：
和平利用外空符合世界各國人民的根本利益。通訊、導航、氣象、遙感、文化、減災等各項事業(yè)，都離不開對外空的和平利用。
然而，如同核能既可作為清潔和有效的能源，又可被用于制造核武器一樣，外空既可造福于各國，也可能成為軍事對抗的新領域以及新威脅的根源。
隨著外空技術的迅猛發(fā)展，曾被視為“高邊疆”的外空被日益賦予重要的軍事價值?！翱刂仆饪?、外空力量投送” 等相關作戰(zhàn)理論和構想、外空武器的研發(fā)正在實施。倘若我們對此聽之任之，毫不夸張地說，外空將成為繼陸、海、空之后的第四個戰(zhàn)場。
在外空部署武器將產生一系列嚴重的消極后果：打破戰(zhàn)略平衡與穩(wěn)定、破壞國際和國家安全、損害現(xiàn)有軍控條約特別是與核武器和導彈相關的協(xié)定、引發(fā)軍備競賽。此外，部署和使用外空武器，將嚴重威脅外空資產的安全，對地球生物圈也會造成危害。在近地軌道試驗外空武器，將加劇業(yè)已嚴重的“空間碎片”問題。
面對外空武器化和外空軍備競賽的危險，現(xiàn)有外空國際法律機制暴露了其局限性，即，不能防止和禁止在外空部署和使用除大規(guī)模殺傷性武器以外的武器； 不能防止和禁止從地球表面對處于外空的物體使用武力或威脅使用武力。
多年來，國際社會為防止外空武器化和防止外空軍備競賽進行了有益嘗試。裁談會曾自1985至1994年連續(xù)十年設立特委會討論有關問題。聯(lián)大多年來連續(xù)以壓倒性多數(shù)票（無人反對）通過“防止外空軍備競賽”決議案。聯(lián)合國秘書長和許多國際有識之士多次呼吁重視此問題。加拿大、斯里蘭卡、法國、瑞典、意大利等許多國家也提出了建設性主張。
2002年，中國、俄羅斯聯(lián)合越南、印度尼西亞、白俄羅斯、津巴布韋和敘利亞的駐日內瓦代表團，在裁談會提出了題為《關于未來防止在外空部署武器、對外空物體使用或威脅使用武力國際法律文書要點》的工作文件（載于CD/1679），希望裁談會以此為基礎，談判達成一項新的外空法律文書。該文件包括以下基本義務：
不在環(huán)繞地球的軌道放置任何攜帶任何種類武器的物體，不在天體放置此類武器，不以任何方式在外空部署此類武器；不對外空物體使用或威脅使用武力；不協(xié)助、不鼓勵其他國家、國家集團和國際組織參與本條約所禁止的活動。
CD/1679仍處于不斷發(fā)展和完善的過程中。有關各方已就該文件提出了中肯的意見和建議。鑒此，中俄代表團在深入研究的基礎上，于今年8月在裁談會散發(fā)了“現(xiàn)有國際法律文書與防止外空武器化”和“防止外空軍備競賽的核查問題”兩份專題文件。我們歡迎各方參加到上述問題的討論中來，為將來外空特委會的實質性工作打下基礎。
中國代表團希望，裁談會能盡快按照聯(lián)大決議所規(guī)定的那樣，“在酌情締結一項或多項防止外層空間軍備競賽各方面問題的多邊協(xié)定的談判中發(fā)揮主要作用”。
和平、發(fā)展、合作是時代潮流。早日達成一項防止外空武器化的國際法律文書，有利于維護對外空的和平利用，促進相關的國際合作，并增進各國的共同安全。讓我們共同努力，為子孫后代保留這片凈土，確保廣袤無垠的外層空間永遠造福于全人類。
謝謝主席先生。
The Weaponization of Outer Space and Its Negative Consequences
The peaceful use of outer space is in the interest of all peoples of the world. The undertakings in such areas as communication， navigation， meteorology， remote sensing， culture， and disaster reduction have come to be intricately linked with the peaceful use of outer space.
However， as nuclear energy per se can be both used as a clean and efficient energy and nuclear weapon， outer space can also benefit all while at the same time harbor fresh military confrontations and threats.
With the rapid development of outer space technology， out space， the once-deemed “high frontier”， has been attached with increasing military value. Such combat theories and concepts as “control of outer space， power projection into and through outer space” as well as the R&D of outer space weapons have found their ways into implementation. It is no exaggeration to say that outer space would become the fourth battlefield after land， sea and air should we sit on our hands watching the above developments.
The deployment of weapons in outer space would result in a series of grave fallouts： breaking strategic balance and stability， undermining international and national security， damaging existing arms control treaties， particularly agreements related to nuclear weapons and missiles， and triggering an arms race. In addition， the deployment and use of weapons in outer space would seriously threaten the security of outer space assets and bring harm to the Earth's biosphere. The testing of outer space weapons in the low Earth orbits would aggravate the already acute problem of “space debris”。
The Lacunae of Existing International Legal Regime related to Outer Space
Facing the risk of the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space， existing international legal regime related to outer space displayed its lacunae， i.e.， it falls short in preventing and prohibiting the deployment and use of weapons other than those of mass destruction in outer space； and in preventing and prohibiting the use or threat of force from the Earth's surface against outer space objects.
Efforts by the International Community
Over years， the international community has endeavoured on many fronts in preventing the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space. The Conference on Disarmament （CD） at Geneva had set up the ad hoc committee for ten consecutive years from 1985 to 1994 discussing relevant issues. The UN General Assembly has， for many years without interruption， overwhelmingly adopted （with no negative votes） the resolution of “Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space”。 The UN Secretary General and many people of insight had repeated their calls for attaching importance to this issue. Canada， Sri Lanka， France， Sweden， Italy and many others have also come up with their own constructive proposals.
In 2002， China and Russia， along with Vietnam， Indonesia， Belarus， Zimbabwe and Syria Arab Republic， tabled in the CD a working paper entitled “POSSIBLE ELEMENTS FOR A FUTURE INTERNATIONAL LEGAL AGREEMENT ON THE PREVENTION OF THE DEPLOYMENT OF WEAPONS IN OUTER SPACE， THE THREAT OR USE OF FORCE AGAINST OUTER SPACE OBJECTS” （contained in CD/1679）。 It is our hope that the CD can take this document as a basis for negotiating and concluding a new outer space legal instrument. This document contains the following basic obligations：
- Not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying any kinds of weapons， not to install such weapons on celestial bodies， or not to station such weapons in outer space in any other manner.
- Not to resort to the threat or use of force against outer space objects.
- Not to assist or encourage other States， groups of States， international organizations to participate in activities prohibited by this Treaty.
CD/1679 is still evolving and improving. All relevant sides have put up their pertinent suggestions and proposals for the document. In this regard， after in-depth study， the Delegations of China and the Russian Federation distributed in the CD two non-papers entitled “Existing International Legal Instruments and the Prevention of the Weaponization of Outer Space” and “Verification Aspects of PAROS”。 All are welcomed in joining the discussion on above issues so as to put the future substantive work of the outer space ad hoc committee on a better footing.
It is the hope of the Chinese Delegation that the CD could take up as soon as possible， as the UN General Assembly relevant resolution stipulates， “the primary role in the negotiation of a multilateral agreement or agreements， as appropriate， on the prevention of an arms race in outer space in its all aspects.”
Peace， development and cooperation represent the trend of the times. An early conclusion of an international legal instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space is conducive to maintaining peaceful use of outer space， facilitating related international cooperation and promoting common security for all. Let's make concerted efforts in preserving the vastness of outer space a tranquil place for the benefit of our future generations.
Thank you， Mr. President.
主席先生：
和平利用外空符合世界各國人民的根本利益。通訊、導航、氣象、遙感、文化、減災等各項事業(yè)，都離不開對外空的和平利用。
然而，如同核能既可作為清潔和有效的能源，又可被用于制造核武器一樣，外空既可造福于各國，也可能成為軍事對抗的新領域以及新威脅的根源。
隨著外空技術的迅猛發(fā)展，曾被視為“高邊疆”的外空被日益賦予重要的軍事價值?！翱刂仆饪?、外空力量投送” 等相關作戰(zhàn)理論和構想、外空武器的研發(fā)正在實施。倘若我們對此聽之任之，毫不夸張地說，外空將成為繼陸、海、空之后的第四個戰(zhàn)場。
在外空部署武器將產生一系列嚴重的消極后果：打破戰(zhàn)略平衡與穩(wěn)定、破壞國際和國家安全、損害現(xiàn)有軍控條約特別是與核武器和導彈相關的協(xié)定、引發(fā)軍備競賽。此外，部署和使用外空武器，將嚴重威脅外空資產的安全，對地球生物圈也會造成危害。在近地軌道試驗外空武器，將加劇業(yè)已嚴重的“空間碎片”問題。
面對外空武器化和外空軍備競賽的危險，現(xiàn)有外空國際法律機制暴露了其局限性，即，不能防止和禁止在外空部署和使用除大規(guī)模殺傷性武器以外的武器； 不能防止和禁止從地球表面對處于外空的物體使用武力或威脅使用武力。
多年來，國際社會為防止外空武器化和防止外空軍備競賽進行了有益嘗試。裁談會曾自1985至1994年連續(xù)十年設立特委會討論有關問題。聯(lián)大多年來連續(xù)以壓倒性多數(shù)票（無人反對）通過“防止外空軍備競賽”決議案。聯(lián)合國秘書長和許多國際有識之士多次呼吁重視此問題。加拿大、斯里蘭卡、法國、瑞典、意大利等許多國家也提出了建設性主張。
2002年，中國、俄羅斯聯(lián)合越南、印度尼西亞、白俄羅斯、津巴布韋和敘利亞的駐日內瓦代表團，在裁談會提出了題為《關于未來防止在外空部署武器、對外空物體使用或威脅使用武力國際法律文書要點》的工作文件（載于CD/1679），希望裁談會以此為基礎，談判達成一項新的外空法律文書。該文件包括以下基本義務：
不在環(huán)繞地球的軌道放置任何攜帶任何種類武器的物體，不在天體放置此類武器，不以任何方式在外空部署此類武器；不對外空物體使用或威脅使用武力；不協(xié)助、不鼓勵其他國家、國家集團和國際組織參與本條約所禁止的活動。
CD/1679仍處于不斷發(fā)展和完善的過程中。有關各方已就該文件提出了中肯的意見和建議。鑒此，中俄代表團在深入研究的基礎上，于今年8月在裁談會散發(fā)了“現(xiàn)有國際法律文書與防止外空武器化”和“防止外空軍備競賽的核查問題”兩份專題文件。我們歡迎各方參加到上述問題的討論中來，為將來外空特委會的實質性工作打下基礎。
中國代表團希望，裁談會能盡快按照聯(lián)大決議所規(guī)定的那樣，“在酌情締結一項或多項防止外層空間軍備競賽各方面問題的多邊協(xié)定的談判中發(fā)揮主要作用”。
和平、發(fā)展、合作是時代潮流。早日達成一項防止外空武器化的國際法律文書，有利于維護對外空的和平利用，促進相關的國際合作，并增進各國的共同安全。讓我們共同努力，為子孫后代保留這片凈土，確保廣袤無垠的外層空間永遠造福于全人類。
謝謝主席先生。