Mr. President, 

The Chinese delegation would like to thank High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu for her briefing. 

China is firmly opposed to the use of chemical weapons by any country, organization or individual under any circumstances. The world should be free of all chemical weapons at an early date.

Dialogue and consultation is the only way to resolve the Syrian chemical weapons issue. The latest monthly report of the Director-General of the OPCW indicates that from September 11 to 18, the Technical Secretariat conducted the ninth round of inspections of the Syrian scientific studies and research center, which China welcomes. We have taken note that the Syrian Government and the Technical Secretariat have begun consultations by correspondence on the declaration assessment. We urge the Technical Secretariat to give full attention to the state parties’ concerned on the visa issue. We also encourage both sides to continue the communication regarding the OPCW’s Director-General’s meeting with the Syrian Foreign Minister. 

We reiterate that the OPCW’s investigation and attribution of the alleged use of chemical weapons should be strictly limited to the framework of the CWC, with compliant procedures, reliable evidence, and credible conclusions. We hope that the DG and the Technical Secretariat will take practical measures to maintain the technical attributes of the OPCW.

To conclude, like many Council members, China once again calls upon the Security Council to reduce the frequency of the considerations on the Syrian chemical weapons issue. 

I thank you, Mr. President.