[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 27 (Monday, July 6, 1998)]
[Page 1253]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement on the Biological Weapons Convention

June 27, 1998

    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 on 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.

Note: The joint statement was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary but was not issued as a White House press release.