China, in Treaty Talks, Drops Call for Nuclear Tests
China said Thursday that it will temporarily give up its demand for the right to conduct “peaceful nuclear explosions,” an obstacle to a comprehensive test ban, but the United States said Beijing’s offer required concessions by Russia and the West.
Envoys to the Conference on Disarmament are racing against the clock to conclude a comprehensive test ban treaty by June 28.
Chinese envoy Sha Zukang announced the long-awaited shift in a speech to the 38-member forum, saying China was “now ready to go along with a temporary ban on peaceful nuclear explosions.”
Sha said the question should be reexamined during a treaty review conference--generally expected in 10 years.
All five declared nuclear powers (Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States) and three “threshold” states (India, Israel and Pakistan) are taking part in the talks.
China--the only country still conducting tests--has been isolated in demanding that the future pact allow “peaceful nuclear explosions” for scientific purposes and industries such as mining.
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