A training class on international assistance and protection against chemical weapons was opened Monday in Beijing.

The week-long workshop is jointly held by the Chinese government and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) with 22 trainees from 21 countries.

The class is designed to equip the trainees with better knowledge on protection against chemical weapons and provide a platform to related nations to exchange information and experience. It eyes implementing article 10 of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and helping the involved countries to improve their ability to deal with the threat of chemical weapons and chemical accidents.

The Chemical Weapons Convention, which entered into force 13 years ago, establishes far-reaching rights and obligations aimed at freeing the world of chemical weapons.

China has consistently fulfilled its obligations of the CWC and maintained sound cooperation with the OPCW by assisting it with protective equipment, donation and holding related training classes, said a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry.

China and the OPCW held a training class on assistance and protection against chemical weapons of the Asia-Pacific region in 2008.