Xiamen in East China's Fujian province hosts a training course for UNSC Resolution 1540 Implementation for Points of Contact in the Asia-Pacific Region from Oct 21 to 25. [Photo/fao.xm.gov.cn]

The training course for UNSC Resolution 1540 Implementation for Points of Contact in the Asia-Pacific Region was being held in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, from Oct 21 to 25.

Trainees included representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency, Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, World Customs Organization, Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, and 18 Asia-Pacific countries.

Fu Cong, director-general of the Department of Arms Control and Disarmament of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

Fu said the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their carriers is a global challenge. The prevention of proliferation requires the guidance of the United Nations as well as joint efforts by various countries.

He introduced the efforts and achievements made by China in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their carriers, stressing that such a practice is a strategic decision made by China based on its fundamental interests and the future of mankind and mirrors the peaceful development advocated by the country.

Li Xiaoping, director of Xiamen's Foreign Affairs Office, gave a welcome address, saying that Xiamen welcomed more international organizations to convene meetings in the city and hopes to conduct more exchanges with various countries and international organizations.

As an important city in the Belt and Road Initiative, Xiamen now houses 119 Global Fortune 500 companies and has cooperated with more than 200 international organizations, countries, and regions. The city was awarded the "United Nation Habitat Award" in 2004 and was rated as a "China Gold Medal City" in terms of Investment Environment after an evaluation by the World Bank in 2006.

In 2004, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1540, which requires all countries to prevent non-state actors from proliferating weapons of mass destruction and their carriers, and also established points of contact in different countries.

The ongoing training course in Xiamen was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, UNSC Nonproliferation Council and the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs.