British Not Concerned

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30575, 19 October 1964, Page 13

British Not Concerned

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, October 18. Britain’s new Labour Government tonight declared that China’s first nuclear test explosion would not affect the military situation in Asia.

A special Government state--1 ment said that in view of the ’ massive nuclear power and defence systems available to ' the Western alliance no fore- ’ seeable development of nu- ' clear capacity by the Chinese 1 could significantly affect the ' balance of military power. ’ The statement was person- ’ ally approved by Mr Harold Wilson within 24 hours of his ’ becoming Prime Minister. It said the British Govem- , rnent’s attitude to the nuclear I test ban treaty remained un- . changed, as also their deter- , mination to meet their defence commitments in Southt east Asia. The Government confirmed [ that the Chinese test, was car- • ried out in the atmosphere i and was a “low yield device.” > “The capacity of the Chin-

ese to effect such an explosion has been known for some time,” the statement said. “Her Majesty’s Government are, nevertheless, deeply disappointed that the Chinese should have decided to do so in the face of world opinion and the hopes raised in the test ban treaty.” “There is of course a vast difference between the first test of a crude device and the emergence of a country as a military nuclear power. “This test explosion will therefore not affect the military situation in Asia.” Diplomatic observers said that the statement, in effect, reiterated Britain’s support of its commitments to S.E.A.T.O. Mr Wilson, as Opposition leader, gave whole-hearted support to the Conservative Government’s signature of the nuclear partial test ban treaty in Moscow 14 months ago.