The Twenty-Six Session of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO was open in Vienna on 20 June 2006. Discussions were held on the 2007 Programme and Budget as well as possible contribution of the Commission to a tsunami warning system.

In the discussion on the 2007 Programme and Budget, Ambassador Tang Guoqiang, Head of Chinese Delegation, expresses China's willingness to see that the PTS continues to faithfully observe the principle of zero real growth in formulating the 2007 Programme and Budget.

Ambassador Tang says there is a marked increase in the budget of IMS Operation and Maintenance in the initial draft of the 2007 Programme and Budget. China expresses its concern and utters its hope that the PTS provide the State Signatories with some detailed explanation. China is of the view that the PTS should make every effort to keep low the costs related to O&M in the phase of technical testing and provisional operation while assuring the normal operation of the IMS.

Meanwhile, China believes that the Programme and Budget should keep a balance amongst all the work of the PrepCom. While the construction of the international verification system should be continuously promoted, the entry into force of the Treaty should be facilitated with adequate resources.

China holds the view that during the formulation of the Programme and Budget, universal participation of all State Signatories particularly the developing countries in the work of the PrepCom should be taken into full consideration. Improved presence of developing countries in the work of the PrepCom will benefit the universality of the PrepCom, the influence of the Treaty and the promotion of the entry into force of the Treaty.

As for the possible contribution of the Commission to a tsunami warning system, Ambassador Tang reiterates that China supports that the PrepCom make contribution to the tsunami warning system by using existing resources, and that relevant IMS data and IDC products be provided to relevant countries and UNESCO recognized international disaster-relief organizations in light of the real need in disaster prevention and relief.

China believes that the possible contribution of the Commission to a tsunami warning system should ensure full utilization of the relevant data and products without affecting the purpose and principles of the Treaty while taking into full account of the security concerns of all State Signatories. The PTS is currently preparing an options paper for further discussion in the next Working Group B meeting in September. China hopes that the PTS would underline the spirit and letter of the report of the 26^th WGB by taking into full consideration the different provisions in the treaty for the different types of seismic stations. China hopes that with all relevant parties being cooperative and constructive, a solution will be found at an early date so as to make it possible for IMS data and IDC products to be used for tsunami warning in a formalized manner.

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