China opposes illicit production of and trafficking in small arms and light weapons, and is ready to work with the international community to properly solve this problem at an early date, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Friday.

Li Baodong, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, made the statement when he was speaking at an open debate of the UN Security Council meeting on the impact of illicit arms trafficking on peace and security of the Central African region.

"China has always been opposed to illicit production of and trafficking in small arms and light weapons," Li said. "We sympathize with the people of the Central African region who have suffered deeply as a result of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons."

"We are willing to work together with the international community towards an early and appropriate solution of this problem," he said. "We would like to thank the Gabonese mission for having drafted the concept paper and support the adoption by the Security Council of a presidential statement on the impact of illicit arms trafficking on peace and security in the Central African region."

Meanwhile, the Chinese ambassador said, "We support the Central African states in continuing with their active efforts to combat illicit arms trafficking."

"Each state should, on the basis of the UN Program of Action on Small Arms and in connection with its specific situation, formulate a complete set of rules and regulations on the production, possession, transfer and stockpile of small arms and ensure their effective enforcement," he said. "Countries of the region should also strengthen coordination and cooperation to effectively monitor the trade in small arms and lights weapons and combat illicit transactions."

Li also called for greater attention on the part of the international community to illicit trafficking in small arms and lights weapons in the Central African region.

"Supporting Central African countries in effectively combating illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons will have a beneficial effect on reducing conflicts in that region," he said. "Of course, in the long run, the fundamental way to eliminate conflict is to help Central African countries develop economy, eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development so as to root out the breeding ground for illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons."

"We believe that the Security Council should continue its work in this regard in an active and steady manner," he said.

In recent years, the Security Council has held many open debates and adopted presidential statements on the question of small arms and light weapons.