Earlier this week, on November 26, at the 30th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CSP-30) in The Hague, China called on Japan to accelerate the disposal of abandoned chemical weapons left in the Chinese mainland.
The Chinese delegation highlighted lingering safety and environmental risks associated with these remnants from past conflicts, urging Tokyo to step up efforts and complete cleanup work as soon as possible.
This appeal comes amid wider discussions at CSP-30 on implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention, which marks its 30th session this year. Member states are reviewing progress on destruction targets, verification measures and cooperation on legacy issues—like the abandoned weapons that remain in the Chinese mainland.
Observers say that a swift response from Japan could strengthen regional trust and set a positive example for handling the legacies of historical conflicts. Both Beijing and Tokyo have previously held talks on these cleanup projects, but progress has been slow.
As the Hague meetings continue, all eyes will be on how Japan addresses China’s call and reports back to the Convention at future sessions. Fast-tracking disposal could turn a challenging legacy into a model for transparent, cross-border cooperation on chemical safety.
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China urges Japan to accelerate disposal of abandoned chemical weapons
cgtn.com
