Geng Shuang: The Syrian Chemical Weapons Investigation and Identification Team violates the OPCW’s consensus tradition

Geng Shuang, the deputy permanent representative of China to the United Nations, stated on the 4th that the establishment of a Syrian chemical weapons investigation and identification team is beyond the scope of the “Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons” and violates the tradition of consensus of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), including China. Many countries in the United States have expressed concern about this.
Geng Shuang said at the Security Council’s open meeting on Syria’s chemical weapons issue that day that the working methods and procedures of the investigation and identification team under the OPCW did not meet the requirements of the Convention and its verification annex, which aroused many doubts. It is hoped that the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW will adhere to the technical attributes, uphold the spirit of impartiality, objectivity, and independence to do its job well, and promote the return of accountability for the use of chemical weapons to the framework of the convention.
Geng Shuang said that during the general debate of the UN General Assembly in September this year, Syrian Foreign Minister Mekdad stated that Syria firmly opposes the use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances and is willing to maintain cooperation with the OPCW to resolve outstanding issues. . China appreciates Syria’s above statement.
Geng Shuang said that China has always believed that dialogue and cooperation are the correct way to solve the Syrian chemical weapons issue, and excessive pressure can only backfire. The Syrian government and the OPCW Technical Secretariat have different interpretations of many issues. The two sides should respect scientific facts, adhere to objective and fairness, continue full discussions, work hard to meet each other halfway, and strive to resolve outstanding issues together at an early date. The tripartite agreement between the Syrian government, the OPCW’s Technical Secretariat and the UN Project Office has been successfully extended, creating good conditions for resolving outstanding issues. The Syrian government and the OPCW Technical Secretariat continue to maintain communication on the 25th round of consultations with the application evaluation team. This round of consultations encountered difficulties due to visa issues, and I hope both parties will resolve them in a constructive manner.
Geng Shuang said that China has always resolutely opposed the use of chemical weapons by any country, organization or individual under any circumstances and for any purpose, and hopes that the world will get rid of all chemical weapons as soon as possible. We urge countries possessing chemical weapons to destroy all chemical weapons as soon as possible.