China's first non-governmental organization for disarmament, which
was founded in Beijing yesterday, has vowed to work to strengthen
arms control and the disarmament process in China and the rest of
the world.
The China Arms Control and Disarmament Association (CACDA), is
composed of key research institutions in the field and renowned
experts and scholars from around China.
Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen, Vice-Chairman of the Central
Military Commission Chi Haotian, Vice-Chairwoman of the National
People's Congress Standing Committee He Luli, Vice-Chairman of the
National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative
Conference Zhu Guangya, among others, attended the meeting to mark
the establishment of the association.
Qian said that a variety of NGOs have developed rapidly around the
world and are playing an important part in political, economic,
military, cultural and social areas on the international stage.
They are becoming a voice that "no one can afford to ignore," he
said.
Arms control and disarmament have been a focus of NGOs for many
years and NGOs have asserted their influence in the arms control
and disarmament process and relevant policy making and
implementation, Qian said. He also spoke highly of the efforts made
by Chinese non-governmental experts in their study and introduction
of China's principled stance and policy in this regard to the
outside world.
The establishment of the association is conducive to optimizing
resources and promoting the development of arms control and
disarmament research in the non-governmental sector, he said.
Chi Haotian, who is a state councillor and the defense minister,
described the association as "a venue" for all people to get
information, develop exchanges and strengthen cooperation.
Li
Daoyu, former Chinese ambassador to the United States, assumed the
presidency of the association. The CACDA plans to carry out
research projects in arms control, disarmament and international
security, organize exchange activities between Chinese and foreign
research institutions and sponsor seminars.
(Xinhua News
Agency 08/22/2001)