China to restrict use of laser arms, landmines

NEW YORK, NOV 5: China has announced it has ratified conventions that restrict the use of landmines and blinding laser weapons.Chinese ambas...

NEW YORK, NOV 5: China has announced it has ratified conventions that restrict the use of landmines and blinding laser weapons.

Chinese ambassador Qin Huasun yesterday said the ratification documents were deposited with UN chief Kofi Annan. The landmine protocol of the convention on certain weapons ratified by China falls short, however, of an international convention banning the production, use and transfer of landmines.

Huasun said China “stands for proper and appropriate control over the use of landmines” and supported efforts to curb the maiming and killing of innocent civilians by landmines around the world.

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China, the United States and Russia have not signed the international convention, which will enter into force next March. China preferred instead the protocol on landmines, which restricts the use of the weapons to certain situations.

Qin said his government is “rich in mine clearance experience” and its technology and equipment are well suited to conditions in developing countries.

Heannounced a donation of 100,000 dollars to a UN trust fund for mine clearance in Bosnia-Herzegovina. China will also host training courses in mine clearance in the next two years.