DATE=5/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232197
TITLE=CHINA/ INDIA TEST (S)
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  CHINA HAS ISSUED ITS STRONGEST STATEMENT YET ABOUT THE 
INDIAN NUCLEAR TESTS.  CORRESPONDENT STEPHANIE HO REPORTS FROM 
BEIJING THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WAS SHOCKED BY THE BLASTS 
AND STRONGLY CONDEMNS THEM. 

TEXT:  A CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT THURSDAY SAYS CHINA 
STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE SERIES OF NUCLEAR TESTS INDIA CONDUCTED 
MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

THE STATEMENT SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD ADOPT A  
UNIFIED STAND AND STRONGLY DEMAND INDIA IMMEDIATELY STOP ITS 
NUCLEAR WEAPONS DEVELOPMENT.

THE FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS INDIAN ALLEGATIONS CHINA POSES A 
NUCLEAR THREAT ARE TOTALLY UNREASONABLE.  IT ACCUSES INDIA OF 
USING THE WARNING OF A THREAT FROM CHINA AS AN EXCUSE FOR INDIA 
TO DEVELOP NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

MEANWHILE, THE PRESS TRUST OF INDIA REPORTS PRIME MINISTER ATAL 
BEHARI VAJPAYEE POINTED TO AN ATMOSPHERE OF DISTRUST BETWEEN HIS 
COUNTRY AND CHINA, IN A LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON EXPLAINING 
INDIA'S DECISION TO CONDUCT NUCLEAR TESTS.   (SIGNED)

NEB/HO/GC/FC/RAE 

14-May-98 8:07 AM EDT (1207 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.