China’s rocket in Pacific ‘not expected’

Press, 20 May 1980, Page 23

China’s rocket in Pacific ‘not expected’

China’s intercontinental ballistic missile, which fell into the Pacific 750 nautical miles north of Fiji, was not unexpected. Since 1976, China has been testing components of a similar carrier rocket on its territory. According to the Russian Embassy in Wellington, the launch shows that China has completed the project of developing its nuclear weapons with a range of 10,000 km. In the 19705, said the embassy, Peking stepped up work in this direction. China tested its nuclear devices regularly. . In spite of international protests, these tests are done in the atmosphere, which usually increases radioactivity in the countries east of China, including Japan, the United States, Canada, and, from time to time, the South Pacific. Ironically, among scientists working on Chinese nuclear weapons are many Chinese who come from the United States and Japan. In the 19505, using their nationalistic feelings, said the embassy, China Invited from the United States about 100 specialists of Chinese origin. Among them was the

“father of the Chinese atomic bomb,” Qian Sangiang. The problem of stopping nuclear tests in the atmosphere .is raised regularly at 1 different international forums on disarmament, In 1863 Russia, the United States and Britain signed the treaty banning nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water. To-date more than 100 nations have joined this treaty. Peking has of late been actively encouraging countries such as Pakistan to develop their own nuclear weapons.

During the Peking visit of President Zia-ul-Haq recently, said the embassy, the Chinese leaders promised to allow him to do tests of a Pakistani atomic bomb in China. The Russian Embassy said it was not accidental that the launching coincided with the visit of China’s Vice-Premier (Mr Li Xiannian) to New Zealand anad other south Pacific countries. During the visit Peking planned to justify its actions by the “mythical Soviet threat”: Not Soviet, but Chinese missiles were spearheaded against the area adjacent to New Zealand.