Mr. Chairman,

China aligns itself with the statement made by the distinguished delegate of Bolivia on behalf of G77 and China.

The Chinese delegation thanks the Secretary General for the report submitted on the teaching, study, dissemination and wider appreciation of international law.

In the view of my delegation, the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law has, since its inception, played an important and positive role in promoting the teaching, study and application of international law in various countries, developing countries in particular, and in improving the capacity building of the developing countries in the field of international law. In recent years, relevant UN departments, including the UN Office of Legal Affairs, have carried out a large amount of effective work in implementing the Programme of Assistance, to which China expresses its appreciations. The United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme and the Regional Courses in International Law have benefited numerous diplomats and young scholars and the United Nations Audio-visual Library of International Law, with its constantly upgraded content, has provided abundant resources for practitioners of international law in all parts of the world.

At the same time, China notes with regret that due to lack of resources, regional courses in international law in Asia and Latin America were forced to cancel on several occasions and the Audio-visual Library is haunted by the risk of being discontinued. China is of the view that it is unsustainable to conduct the regional courses and keep the Audio-visual Library going on the basis of voluntary contributions. The cost of the Programme of Assistance should be included in the regular budget as soon as possible so as to solve the problem of insufficient resources.

Mr. Chairman,

China attaches great importance to the teaching and study of international law and has actively supported the Programme of Assistance by actual deeds. Over the past few years, the Chinese government has made annual donations of 30,000 US dollars to the Programme to be used in support of the regional courses in international law in Asia and Africa and of the Audio-visual Library. A number of Chinese scholars have also produced audio-visual teaching materials for the Library. China is ready to work together with the international community to continue to support the successful and sustainable implementation of the Programme of Assistance.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.