(Vienna, 16 November 2009)
Mr.Chairman,
The Chinese Delegation is pleased to see your Excellency chairing this year's PrepCom sessions. We believe that under your leadership, the work of PrepCom will go smoothly and make progress. I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that the Chinese Delegation will as always support the work of you and the PrepCom in an active manner.
Mr.Chairman,
Just now, Ambassador of Argentine made a statement on behalf of the Group Senventy-Seven and China. The Chinese Delegation endorses the views and positions expressed in his statement. While expressing our appreciation for the fruitful work of PTS, we would like to thank the oral report made by the Executive Secretary, Ambassador Tibor Toth and the written Report prepared by the PTS.
Mr.Chairman,
The success of the Sixth Article XIV Confenrence in September in very encouraging. The current international security environment is complex and fluid. Nuclear proliferation remains a pressing issue and nuclear disarmament a long and arduous task. Under this circumstance, reaffirming the determination to end nuclear weapon test explosion and continuing support of the CTBT and its early entry into force carries meaningful weight to further promote nuclear disarmament and strengthen nuclear non-proliferation mechanism.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the coordinators of the Article XIV Conference, France,Morocco as well as their predecessor Austria and Costa Rica.
China supports the treaty unswervingly and has honored its commitment on nuclear test moratorium.China is ampng the first to sign the CTBT and has voted in favor of all the resolutions related to the Treaty in every United Nations General Assembly. The Chinese Government is dedicated to the early entry into force of the Treaty and will continue to make efforts together with the international community to this end.
Mr.Chairman,
The Chinese Delegation carefully examined the Final Draft of the 2010 Pragramme and Budget and appreciates the hard efforts made by the PTS. We are satisfied to see that the PTS has taken into account the views expressed by the Member States and made adjustments accordingly. China agrees on the present budget which realizes the zero real growth.
Mr.Chairman,
The Chinese Delegation takes note of the assessment report on the status of implementation of the Pilot Project prepared by the PTS. China believes, the Pilot Project should be continued so as to further strengthen the universal participation of all States Signatories, particularly the developing countries,in the work of the PrepCom.This would be conducive to improving the universalization of the PrepCom, ensuring the balance of the work in the PrepCom, and enlarging the influence of the CTBT.
Mr.Chairman,
China always support the legitimate request by Palestine to be granted observer status within the PrepCom for the CTBTO. Regarding the amendment to the Rule 5 of the Rules and Procedure of the PrepCom, China supports the Group 77's proposal to amend Rule 5 in principle, while stressing that if any entity wishes to attend Commission meetings as an observer, the matter should be discussed and approved by the PrepCom.
Thank you. Mr.Chairman.