Beijing to share blast detection data with Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation

China has agreed to share data from its monitoring stations that watch for signs of atomic tests - including seismic waves and radioactive traces - with the global agency that oversees the nuclear test ban treaty.

The move could help dissuade North Korea from carrying out more nuclear tests, a researcher at the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association said.

The decision was announced by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation in Vienna on Wednesday.

The organisation said its executive secretary, Lassina Zerbo, met Zhang Yulin, a deputy minister of defence, last week.

Zhang pledged the country's full support and commitment in co-operating with it.

"During the meeting, it was agreed to proceed with the provision of data from the organisation's monitoring stations in China to the organisation's International Data Centre in Vienna," a statement said. "This is part of the testing and evaluation process that marks the first formal step towards certification [formal acceptance] of the monitoring stations in China."