China has renewed calls for Japan to expedite the safe disposal of abandoned chemical weapons left on Chinese soil during World War II, during the 30th session of the Chemical Weapons Convention conference in The Hague earlier this week. The appeal comes as communities near disposal sites continue to face safety risks from deteriorating munitions.
A Chinese delegation representative stated on November 26 that "the complete destruction of these weapons remains an urgent priority for regional security and historical reconciliation." Over 50,000 chemical munitions have been recovered in China since 2025, primarily in northeastern provinces where accidental exposures still occur. Japan has acknowledged its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention but faces technical challenges in handling corroded ordnance. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing cooperation through the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons framework.
