On November 30, 2023, the Beijing Office of the Albert Stiftung organized a delegation of German arms control experts visiting China to visit Global Governance Institution (GGI), and had in-depth discussions and exchanges with the experts of GGI on issues of common concern such as nuclear arms control, artificial intelligence, and unmanned maritime systems. The two sides exchanged views on the report “China’s Role in International Multilateral Arms Control” organized by the Albert Stiftung. Previously, Albert Stiftung submitted the report in April this year through the Geneva Center for Security Governance Studies (GCSSGS), a Swiss think tank partner of GGI, and GGI responded to the comments. This offline exchange is a continuation of the last written response.

During the talks, the two sides also held in-depth discussions on the challenges and opportunities for arms control in the context of the current era of rapid development of information technology. Both sides agreed that, in this era of challenges and opportunities, it is essential to strengthen dialogue, explore common interests, seek opportunities for cooperation and promote common development, that exchanges between retired military officers from both sides with practical experience should be encouraged and that civilian think tanks should play an active role in this process. Both sides expressed their willingness to take on more responsibilities in the future and to contribute to peaceful development through various means.

In particular, the German delegation suggested that, with regard to multilateral arms control conferences under the framework of the United Nations and international multilateral security conferences with arms control issues, many countries had organized side events to present their positions and promote discussions, but they have rarely seen the Chinese side organizing similar events, and that China should make use of the rare opportunity of multilateral occasions to organize side events to promote the discussion of China’s position on these issues.

The German delegation was headed by Chairperson of the dialogue advisory group, Senior Advisor to the Nuclear Threat Initiative and former UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, and included Prof. Michael Staack, Chair of Political Science at Helmut-Schmidt-Universität der Bundeswehr; Prof. Götz Neuneck, former Deputy Director at Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH) of the University of Hamburg; Dr. Oliver Meier, Policy & Research Director at European Leadership Network (ELN); and Sergio Grassi, Resident Representative for China of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Chinese experts included Captain (Rtd.) Andy (Shichen) TIAN, Founder and President, Director of Center for International Law of Military Operations of Center for International Law of Military Operations, GGI; Mr. ZHOU Bo, Distinguished fellow, GGI; senior fellow of Center for International Security and Strategy Tsinghua, China; Mr. Ding Yifan, Member of the Academic Committee, GGI; Senior Captain (Rtd.) LI Yaqiang, Senior Research Fellow, GGI. The meeting was of great significance in enhancing mutual understanding, promoting cooperation and discussing global arms control issues. Both sides indicated that they would continue to maintain close communication and make joint efforts for peace and security.