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TEXT: U.S.-CHINA JOINT STATEMENT ON BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS

(Supports global elimination of biological weapons)  (410)



Beijing -- President Clinton and President Jiang released a Joint
Statement June 27, reaffirming their strong support for the complete
global elimination of biological weapons.


The two sides stressed the importance of the Biological Weapons
Convention to international peace and security.


"Both the United States and China support efforts to strengthen the
effectiveness of the Convention, including the establishment of a
practical and effective compliance mechanism," the statement says.


Following is the text of the official White House statement:



(begin text)



Joint Statement

on

Biological Weapons Convention



Recognizing the threat posed by biological and toxin weapons, the
United States and China reaffirm their strong support for the complete
global elimination of biological weapons. As States Parties to the
Biological Weapons Convention, the two sides stress the importance of
the Convention to international peace and security, fully support the
purposes and objectives of the Convention, and favor comprehensively
strengthening the effectiveness and universality of the Convention.


The United States and China each reaffirm that they are determined to
strictly abide by the provisions of the Convention, to earnestly and
comprehensively fulfill the obligations each has undertaken, shall not
develop, produce or stockpile biological weapons under any
circumstances and shall oppose the proliferation of biological weapons
and their technology and equipment.


Both the United States and China support efforts to strengthen the
effectiveness of the Convention, including the establishment of a
practical and effective compliance mechanism. In this connection, the
two sides positively appraise the work of the Ad Hoc Group set up for
this purpose in negotiating a protocol to the Convention. The two
sides believe the protocol must include efficient, practical and cost
effective measures to deter proliferation or violation of the
Convention and improve transparency. Appropriate measures should be
formulated and implemented in a manner that takes into account
protection of sensitive commercial information and legitimate security
needs, and in light of relevant national laws and regulations. The two
sides express their desire to cooperate in the negotiations and work
together to further accelerate an early conclusion of the negotiations
on the protocol.


The United States and China agree that they shall strive to enhance
bilateral cooperation and exchanges in the field of bio-technology and
vigorously engage in and promote the peaceful use of biological
technology.


(end text)