M48

15 May 1995

AUSTRALIA CONDEMNS CHINESE NUCLEAR TEST

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Gareth Evans, has condemned today's nuclear test by China.

The explosion, which took place at Lop Nor at 1406 (AEST) was detected by the Australian Seismological Centre. It had a yield estimated at the equivalent of between 40 and 150 kilotonnes of TNT.

Senator Evans said it was deeply disappointing that China had once again shown disregard for international opposition to nuclear testing, and, all the more so, in the positive aftermath of the Review and Extension Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty which concluded in New York last week.

"Australia, along with many other countries, protested against the nuclear tests carried out by China in June and October 1994. We have consistently urged China to join other nuclear weapon states in declaring a moratorium on its testing program," he said.

Senator Evans said the negotiations on a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which had been a long-standing Australian goal, were moving steadily towards conclusion. Australia was hopeful that the Treaty would be finalised by the end of the year, and open for signature in 1996. We looked to the nuclear weapon states to desist from further testing as the CTBT negotiations entered this final, critical stage.

"China's continued testing is out of step with the positive atmosphere of the CTBT negotiations, as well as with China's own support for nuclear disarmament and its stated commitment to negotiation of a CTBT by 1996.

"China, and other nuclear weapon states, must come to terms with the imminent fact of a ban on nuclear testing for all time and in all environments," he said.

Senator Evans said he had instructed the Australian Embassy in Beijing to convey Australia's concerns about the test to the Chinese authorities.

CANBERRA