Remarks by the Director-General of the OPCW, Fernando Arias, at the welcome reception hosted by Dire

While the purpose of this visit is specific, I cannot miss the opportunity to acknowledge China’s key role in efforts for achieving the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention. [...] The visits, including this one, underline the serious commitment of China, Japan and the OPCW on the issue of chemical weapons abandoned by Japan on the territory of China (ACW). [...] 1 We are aware at the same time of the estimates of the number of weapons buried at Haerbaling, which suggest a number in the range of over 330,000 items. [...] The conclusion of this campaign will mark yet another milestone in the promise that the Chemical Weapons Convention brought to the world. [...] We must continue to further build and sustain the wealth of expertise and knowledge that is the most important asset of the OPCW.