China and Russia have called for a quick start to talks on a
treaty to ban weapons in outer space. The two countries delivered
their warmly-welcomed proposal at a session of the UN-backed
Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
Supporters, including many European and nearly all developing
countries, say it is vital that the 1967 treaty banning weapons of
mass destruction in outer space is not undermined.
In June of last year, China and Russia, together with Vietnam,
Belarus, Zimbabwe and Syria issued a working document to the
Conference on Disarmament, stressing that the deployment of weapons
in outer space should be prevented.
Over the year, delegations from China and Russia have held many
briefings, seminars and bilateral talks on the issue.
The two countries have compiled many constructive amendment
opinions from other countries, and re-launched the proposal at this
meeting.
At present, the risk of the presence of weapons in outer space
is mounting. With the US withdrawal last year from the 1972
Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, there is no reliable legal pact
barring countries from using outer space for military purposes.
What's more, certain countries are making efforts to control and
occupy areas of outer space.
With the development of space weapons, the military and
strategic value of outer space has been unveiled. Countries such as
the US are stressing the importance of a space weapons system,
which has been met with criticism from less powerful states.
Observers say outer space is the common property of all
humankind. All countries have the right and the obligation to
ensure that it is used for peaceful purposes.
Russia is taking steps to guarantee the transparency of its
space program and reduce fears about its own space activities by
providing advance notice of any probe launches, their purpose and
their flight paths.
Analysts believe people should not wait until it is too late to
prevent the arm race in outer space. It is commonly held that this
potential problem should be nipped in the bud. That is the original
intention of China and Russia, and is also the reason why the
proposal is backed by so many countries.
(People's Daily August 1, 2003)