Mr. President,

First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of this conference on facilitating the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). I believe that with your wisdom and diplomatic experience, you will surely guide the conference to a success. I would also like to take this opportunity to express our thanks to H. E. Masahiko Komura, President of the first conference and former Japanese Foreign Minister for his excellent work. Our thanks also go to Dr. Wolfgang Hoffmann, Executive Secretary of the Provisional Technical Secretariat of the PrepCom for CTBTO and all other people who have been working for the entry into force of the CTBT.
 

Mr. President,

The present conference is convened in the new century and against the special backdrop of the "September 11th" event. International terrorism is a malignant tumor in today's world, directly threatening the security and stability of all countries. The Chinese Government opposes all forms of terrorist activities. In the meantime, we call for enhanced international cooperation in the combat against terrorism.

As an important treaty, CTBT is of great significance to the maintenance of international security. Up to now, 161 countries have signed and 84 ratified it. Various preparations for the establishment of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) are underway in an orderly manner, which fully testifies to the recognition and support of the international community of the CTBT.

Yet there is still a long way for us to go before the objective of thorough destruction of nuclear weapons and a world free of nuclear arms is attained. It has been five years since the CTBT was opened to signature, yet the prospect for its entry into force does not allow optimism. The preparations for the CTBTO have encountered some new difficulties. The effort to comprehensively ban nuclear tests is yet to win a final victory.

It is notable that regrettable voices have been uttered in the process of endeavoring for an early entry into force of the CTBT. The 1st Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT had barely concluded, a country explicitly refused to ratify the treaty. More recently, it even asserted that it would participate in the work of the PrepCom for CTBTO selectively.

The CTBT is essential to preventing the horizontal and vertical proliferation of nuclear weapons and promoting the nuclear disarmament process. The CTBT states in its Preamble that "the cessation of all nuclear weapon test explosions and all other nuclear explosions, by constraining the development and qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons and ending the development of advanced new types of nuclear weapons, constitutes an effective measure of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in all its aspects." A negative attitude towards the CTBT will bring about very adverse effect on the entry into force of the treaty and the international nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament process.

Chinese Government's basic position of supporting the CTBT has not changed. China will honor her commitment to pursue a moratorium on nuclear test explosions and continue to actively support and participate in the preparation work for the CTBTO. The Chinese Government has completed the due procedure of CTBT review and presented the treaty to the National People's Congress. It is our belief that the National People's Congress will deliberate on the treaty according to the relevant legal procedures.
 

Mr. President,

China finds it necessary and timely to convene a conference once again on facilitating the entry into force of the CTBT in a time of difficulties for the treaty's entry into force and the work of the PrepCom. This conference will exert positive influence on promoting the process of CTBT' s ratification and entry into force. The Chinese Government supports this conference. The Chinese Delegation stands ready to fully cooperate with you and other participating parties to contribute to the success of the conference.

Thank you, Mr. President.
 
 

Source

• http://www.un.org/webcast/ctbt/statements/chinaE.htm