China supports early entry into N-test ban

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-25 14:47

UNITED NATIONS: Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Thursday that China supports the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and will continue to work with the international society towards this end.

In a written speech to the sixth Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT opened here at the UN headquarters in New York, Yang said the early entry into force of the treaty is of realistic significance to promote nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, as well as safeguard international peace and security.

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Yang said China has always supported the early entry into force of the CTBT and will continue to honor its moratorium commitment on nuclear testing.

As one of the first countries to sign the treaty, China will go on cooperating with the Preparatory Commission for the CTBT Organization to conduct relevant preparatory activities, the foreign minister said.

The treaty, which was adopted in New York on September 10, 1996, constrains the development and qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons. It also provides for the establishment of a global verification system to monitor compliance with the treaty's provisions.

It becomes operational 180 days after 44 states, whose ratification is required under Annex II of the text, have ratified it. To date, 181 states have signed it and 150, including 35 of the Annex II States, have ratified it.