activities and are making preparations in this regard. The decisions of the Ad hoc Group to reduce the technical requirements for participation in the experiment are appropriate for encouraging even wider participation in this important experiment. The advanced stage in the work of the GSE offers opportunities for the Conference on Disarmament to consider broadening the scope of its deliberations of verification methods for a future CTBT. This includes, inter alia, the elaboration of procedures for on-site inspections, satellite remote sensing and atmospheric radioactivity surveillance. The countries on CD/PV.551 15 (Mr, Dietze. German Democratic Republic ) whose behalf I am speaking consider that substantive work should be started by experts in the Ad hoc Group with an extended mandate or in another appropriate organizational framework which goes beyond questions of seismology. In conclusion, permit me to make another remark regarding the establishment of an ad hoc committee on agenda item 1. We welcome the fact that all groups have agreed, without prejudice to their preferred draft mandate, to work towards consensus on the basis of the draft mandate contained in document CD/863. This signals increased readiness to resume substantive work on agenda item 1, "Nuclear test ban". We hope that it will be possible to set up a committee on this agenda item at the very beginning of the summer session. As was emphasized in the plenary debate, this would provide the necessary political framework for consideration of the important results of GSETT-2. The PRESIDENT : I thank the representative of the German Democratic Republic for his statement and his very kind words. I now give the floor to the representative of China, Ambassador Hou Zhitong. Mr. HOU (China) (translated from Chinese ): The Chinese delegation listened carefully to the progress report on the twenty-ninth session of the 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing international diplomacy and disarmament, specifically the Conference on Disarmament and the development of a Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The language used is formal and diplomatic, with references to technical requirements, verification methods, and international agreements. The context suggests that the topic is related to science and technology, but also has implications for international relations and global security.

**Category**
Science and technology, International relations