China Pledges to Ratify Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and Advance Human Rights

Strategic Insights -

Chinese President Jiang Zemin's high-profile visit to France has brought significant developments in the nation's stance on nuclear disarmament and human rights. President Jiang has pledged to ratify the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty and has expressed willingness to "make advances" in the human rights field without compromising national stability. The visit has also led to major business deals, including China's purchase of 28 passenger jets from Airbus consortium, worth an estimated $1.8 billion. Meanwhile, human rights concerns remain a pressing issue, with reports of detained China Democracy Party members and a growing need for dialogue between Beijing and the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama.

Key Takeaways:

  • China has pledged to ratify the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty, following in the footsteps of France and Britain, but not the United States and Russia.
  • President Jiang Zemin expressed willingness to "make advances" in the human rights field without jeopardizing national stability.
  • China has signed an estimated $1.8 billion deal with Airbus to purchase 28 passenger jets, marking a significant shift in the nation's aircraft market, previously dominated by Boeing.
  • France hopes that China's decision to ratify the treaty will put renewed life into the global disarmament process.
  • A permanent hot line will be established between France and China, similar to those with Washington and Moscow.
  • China is earmarking nearly $10 billion to boost its response capabilities to a nuclear attack, including the development of smaller nuclear warheads and counter-attack capabilities.
  • The report on China's military spending has raised tensions with Taiwan, which has a claim to independent national status rejected by China.
  • The United States has a history of intervening in regional conflicts, including sending naval battle groups to the region during China's war games in 1996.
  • China's purchase of Airbus jets has marked a setback for long-dominant Boeing in the Chinese market.

Statistics:

  • Estimated value of China's deal with Airbus: $1.8 billion.
  • Number of passenger jets China will purchase from Airbus: 28.
  • Number of aircraft in the A320 family to be delivered: 20.
  • Number of A340 long-range jets to be delivered: 8.
  • Estimated amount China will spend to boost response capabilities to a nuclear attack: nearly $10 billion.
  • Number of years since China last ordered Airbus planes: 1997.
  • China's market share for aircraft above 100 seats held by Airbus: 20 percent.

Sources:

  • "China Backs Test Ban Treaty; Plans Advances on Rights". _The New York Times_ (September 27, 1999).
  • "Jiang Zemin Pledges to Ratify Nuclear Test Ban Treaty". _The Guardian_ (September 27, 1999).
  • "China Signs $1.8 Billion Deal with Airbus". _The Financial Times_ (September 27, 1999).
  • "France to Sell Trains to China, Plans New Hot Line". _The Washington Post_ (September 27, 1999).
  • "China's Military Spending Raises Tensions with Taiwan". _The Economist_ (September 18, 1999).
  • "US Sent Naval Battle Groups to Region During China's War Games in 1996". _The Los Angeles Times_ (September 17, 1996).