China and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) opened the three-day forum in Beijing on Monday to discuss the Asian effort relating to the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu elaborated Chinese Government's stance on the international cooperation of peaceful use of chemistry, stressing the significance of multilateral arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation system to maintain regional security and world peace.

Ma spoke highly of the Chemical Weapons Convention's role in eliminating the chemical weapons threat, increasing signatories' protection against these weapons and contributing to peaceful use of chemistry.

Deputy Director-General of OPCW Grace Asirwatham thanked the Chinese Government for holding the forum and appreciated China's long-term support to the Convention and OPCW.

More than 50 representatives from 17 countries in Asia attended the forum.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2012)