China ATT Update

Issue 5

This is the fifth issue of ATT Update, an e-newsletter co-published by Saferworld and Tongji University. In the Update we examine questions surrounding conventional arms and track international efforts to regulate the global transfer of these weapons under the UN Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) process. It is a platform for Chinese experts, academics, and students to exchange views and analyses.

The Arms Trade Treaty was adopted by a majority at the United Nations on 2 April 2013, opening for signature the next day, and has to date been ratified by nine States. However, the Treaty text does still present ambiguities that must be addressed at the implementation stage. This edition looks at next steps to ensure an effective ATT, as well as examining the reasons for why China did not sign the Treaty. Yun He provides her analysis on why China abstained, while Professor Ouyang Liping outlines reasons for being optimistic about China’s potential signature and ratification.

*The information and views set out in this update are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the official views and positions of Saferworld.

Read issue 5 of the ATT Update.

To see previous issues, click for issue 1, issue 2, issue 3, or issue 4.

 《ATT通讯》第5 期

        由“更安全世界”组织和同济大学政治与国际关系学院合作出版的半年刊《ATT通讯》第5期现已发行。《ATT通讯》是中国专家、学者和学生交流的平台，旨在研究常规武器所涉及的问题，观察并报道在联合国武器贸易条约进程下，国际社会为管制全球常规武器流通所做出的努力。

         本期通讯承蒙清华大学在读博士生何韵和中国现代国际关系研究院欧阳立平教授惠赐稿件。何韵分析了中国在2013年4月2日的联大会议上投弃权票的原因。她认为虽然中国对该条约的某些担忧并没有全部消除，但国内最近的讨论表明未来可能仍然是光明的。欧阳教授阐释了我们为何能对中国有可能签署和批准该条约报以乐观期望。她认为中国目前正在竭力为签署该条约铺平道路。

点击这里阅读《ATT通讯》第5期中文版

“In principle the Chinese Government is supportive of the Treaty. However, before signing and ratifying the Treaty, time is needed to study, scrutinise, and digest it.”

Professor Ouyang Liping