OPCW Deputy Director-General Mr Hamid Ali Rao (centre) with participants of the international seminar on chemical trade, which took place in Rizhao City, China on 16 June 2016.
The Deputy Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Mr Hamid Ali Rao, together with Mr Yang Li, Deputy Director-General of the Arms Control Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, inaugurated the international seminar on chemical trade in Rizhao City, China on 16 June 2016.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Director-General encouraged enhanced efforts to secure trade in chemicals stating, “Trade in chemicals is increasingly becoming the lifeblood of our societies. Such trade makes more of us healthier and more prosperous.” He also emphasised that industry has a vital interest in preventing dangerous chemicals from falling into the wrong hands.
During his visit to China that took place from 14 to 16 June, the Deputy Director-General also met with Mr Xuanyou Kong, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Qun Wang, Director-General of the Arms Control Department, and Mr Yang Li, Deputy Director-General of the Arms Control Department. He expressed his appreciation for China’s commitment to achieving a world free of chemical weapons and underlined the important role China plays in global peace and security. Matters relating to the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, new challenges and future priorities of the OPCW, and ongoing activities related to Syria were also discussed.
The Deputy Director-General also briefed Chinese officials on OPCW efforts regarding education and outreach as well as the threat of chemical terrorism.