On February 20, Counsellor Shi Zhongjun, Charge D'Affaires and Head of Chinese Delegation, made a statement on the Twenty-Sixth Session of Working Group B of the PrepCom for CTBTO. The main points are as follows:

I. Contribution to Tsunami Warning

China supports that the existing resources of the PrepCom be made as contribution to the disaster prevention and reduction such as the tsunami warning, and the relevant IMS data and IDC products be provided to the related countries and UNESCO recognized international disaster-relieving organizations.

China believes that the following guidelines should be observed during the provision of data:

Firstly, the provision of data by the PrepCom to the relevant international and national tsunami warning systems should be kept within the framework of the CTBT and based on respect for the will of host countries of the relevant monitoring stations. It must not in any way undermine the primary purpose of the Treaty and the function of the IMS as monitoring and verifying nuclear explosions. Nor should it change the nature of technical testing and provisional operation, as necessary, of the IMS or the position and function of each individual station.

Secondly, to ensure that the data provided will not be used for purposes other than tsunami early warning, a procedure for the approval and distribution of the relevant IMS data and IDC products should be established by the PTS, discussed by this Working Group, and approved by the PrepCom within the framework of the Treaty. China suggests that the relevant tsunami warning organizations apply to the PrepCom for provision of data with a detailed list identifying needed data or products, mode of transmission and a proposed selection of primary seismic station(s). With the consent of the host countries for inclusion in the list of the selected stations, WGB may then review the application and submit it to the PrepCom for approval. To ensure the lawfulness of the relevant activities and avoid conflict with Treaty provisions and PrepCom decisions, it is necessary for the Prepcom to conclude agreement with the requesting organizations.

Thirdly, states signatories may enter into bilateral arrangements, on their own will, with relevant tsunami warning organizations with regard to the provision of data collected by the auxiliary seismic stations under their jurisdiction.

Fourthly, to avoid further financial burden on the PrepCom and its members, any extra cost incurred by the relevant arrangements should be borne by the users of data.

Fifthly, it is essential that the PTS keeps the relevant arrangements transparent and makes regular reports to the policy-making organs on the distribution of data and its contribution to tsunami early warning.

II. 2007 Programme of Work and Budget

China supports that it continues to be framed on the practical and reasonable basis. China believes that the 2007 Budget should realize the zero real growth and ensure the promotion of all PrepCom work in a more comprehensive and balanced way. Meanwhile, China hopes that the 2007 Budget could enhance the universal participation by all State Parties, particularly the developing countries, in the PrepCom work.

III. Change of site for international monitoring stations

The international monitoring system as a whole and the distribution of stations across the globe were carefully designed by experts participating in the negotiation of the CTBT to ensure effective monitoring of the relevant events in every corner of the world. Of course in the course of construction of the international monitoring system the possibility that some sites may in actuality not be suitable for the construction of a monitoring station has been duly recognized. In this connection, the PrepCom has set up relevant procedures for the change of coordinates of stations within the territory of a state signatory, thereby resolving a very realistic issue pending the final approval by the first Conference of Parties. We are now faced with a new scenario in which certain state signatory proposes to move stations originally designed in its territory to other states. With a change of host states, thereby a transfer of treaty obligations, and fairly long distance between originally envisioned and proposed sites, we need to take a more cautious attitude.

China finds it necessary to design another set of rules and procedures to follow with a view to ensuring the seriousness, authority and integrity of the Treaty and maintaining the effectiveness of the international monitoring system. Apart from such elements as review by WGB and the PrepCom and final approval by the first Conference of Parties, we envision the following steps: The host country of an international monitoring station for which a change of site has been proposed should submit a formal request in writing, in which the reasons why the original site is not suitable for the station construction should be detailed.  The state in which the newly proposed site is based should also submit a written document, detailing the various technical conditions of the proposed site and providing a governmental guarantee of its willingness and capability to undertake relevant obligations. It is further necessary for the PTS to carry out comprehensive assessment and prepare a detailed technical report on the potential influence of the proposed change of site on the overall verification capability of the international monitoring system.

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