Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

Chinese Response to the U.S. Senate Decision

"CHINA VOWS FULL SPEED AHEAD ON NUCLEAR PACT"

Reuters (Andrew Browne) Beijing, 10/14/99)

PRC Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Thursday that the PRC would maintain its moratorium on nuclear testing despite the US Senate's rejection of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Zhang stated, "We will accelerate the process and exert our efforts for the early entry into force of the CTBT." She added, "China deeply regrets that the U.S. Senate voted to reject the ratification of CTBT." She noted, "The United States, as one of the 44 countries whose ratification is required for the enforcement of the treaty, has great influence on bringing the pact into force." Unnamed diplomats said that the PRC's immediate concern was a nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan, and that the DPRK's nuclear capability was also troubling.


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