While addressing the Conference this morning, the head of the Chinese delegation, Shen Goufang, Deputy Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the UN called the CTBT an "important treaty" and said it was very significant in the "maintenance of international security." He went on to say that the international community has shown its recognition and support for the Treaty by preparing for its establishment in an orderly fashion.

However, his sentiments on its outcome were pessimistic. "It has been five years since the CTBT was opened to signature, yet the prospect for its entry into force does not allow optimism," he said. The international community's effort to ban comprehensive nuclear tests is "yet to win a final victory."

He expressed his regret that the entry into force of the CTBT is encountering obstacles. "The First Conference on the 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 [Preparation Committee] for the CTBTO [CTBT organization] selectively," he said indirectly signaling out the US.

The US signed the Treaty in September 1996, shortly after it was opening for signature. The Clinton administration was supportive of the CTBT, however they did not receive a majority to pass it in the Congress. Since then the US has not ratified it. With the change in power, the Bush administration has been less supportive of the Treaty.

China signed the treaty at the same time as the US. It too has not ratified yet. Goufang informed the Conference that the Chinese government has completed its review on the CTBT and has 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," he said. He stressed that although changes have taken place in the international community, China's support for the Treaty has not changed and it will honor its commitment "to pursue a moratorium on nuclear test explosions and continue to actively support and participate in the preparation work for the CTBTO."

Goufang said that as a nuclear power, China has never "evaded responsibility" in nuclear disarmament or "participated in the nuclear arms race." He emphasized that it is not China's aim to gain superiority over others by possessing nuclear technology.

In order to facilitate the ratification of the CTBT, China suggested that an "international environment favorable for countries to trust and support the CTBT should be created." In order to do this the world should abandon "Cold War mentality and power politics," Goufang said. He added that international cooperation in arms control should be strengthened.

The three day conference will end tomorrow, November 13. So far delegates from thirty eight countries have spoken, including Russia and France. The US, Pakistan and India have refrained from attending the conference.