Mr. Chairman,

My delegation appreciates the introductory statement by DG Mr. Amano. We associate ourselves with the statement made by the distinguished ambassador of Algeria on behalf of G-77 and China on this item.

Mr. Chairman,

My delegation is pleased to note that the agency did a lot of work and achieved satisfactory results in fulfilling its functions under the Statute. The agency increased its tailored assistance to member states, new-comers in particular, in energy evaluation, nuclear energy infrastructure, human resources, uranium resource supply, among others. To assure the supply of nuclear fuel required by nuclear energy development, the agency vigorously pushed discussions on multilateral nuclear fuel supply and contributed to the establishment of the first low enriched uranium reserve. The agency cooperated with other international organizations and achieved notable results in promoting nuclear applications in agriculture, medicine, environmental protection, and other areas. The agency is currently applying safeguards in 170 countries and is constantly advancing the universality of safeguards agreements and additional protocols and the improvement and implementation of integrated safeguards. The agency also, in accordance with the nuclear security plan 2010-2013, is preparing nuclear security series documents, holding nuclear security fora, drawing up nuclear security education programs, providing support to nuclear security and sustainable nuclear development in member states and receiving full recognition for its work.

To respond to global climate change, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the Copenhagen conference committed China to reducing by 2020 carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 40-45% from 2005 levels, and raising the share of non-fossil fuel resources in primary energy to 15%. By doing so, Premier Wen not only showed China's responsible attitude to the international community but also new opportunities in China's nuclear industry. To date, China has 30 approved nuclear reactor units with 32.7 GW installed capacity, 23 units under construction with an installed capacity of 25.4 GW. China is also pressing ahead on construction projects in uranium mining and enrichment, fuel element fabrication as well R&D on sodium-cooled fast reactor, reprocessing, and treatment and disposal of radioactive waste. China's advanced research reactor reached criticality on May 13, to be followed shortly by China's experimental fast reactor, and commercial reprocessing plant project is proceeding smoothly.

In expanding its nuclear industrial capacity, China has always accorded top priority to safety and improving its nuclear safety regulation and emergency management. In 2009, the agency successfully organized the 3^rd review meeting of contracting parties to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and Radioactive Waste Management. Participating in the review conference for the first time as a new contracting party, the Chinese delegation presented China's national report, which was approved by the conference. China will continue to fulfil its responsibilities and duties under the convention conscientiously and responsibly. At the same time, we express our appreciation and gratitude to the agency for its efforts in promoting the wide application of the various safety conventions and codes of conduct. Last November, China conducted and invited neighbouring countries to observe the first national nuclear emergency exercise, and notified the agency in accordance with the early notification convention.

China attaches also great importance to the security of nuclear material and facilities. Last September, China became one of the first to submit to the agency its instrument of ratification of the amendments to the CPPNM. This past April, Chinese President Hu Jintao attended the nuclear security summit, made a 5-point proposal on nuclear security and made solemn commitments to strengthen nuclear security.

China attaches great importance to the important role of international cooperation in nuclear energy development. In April 2009, China together with the agency successfully organized in Beijing the ministerial conference on nuclear energy in the 21^st century, with spectacular impact and results. In addition, cooperation between China and other countries has made constant headway. In May this year the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) and EURATOM agreed on a cooperative mechanism, giving further momentum to cooperation between the two sides in the nuclear research and development area.

On May 28, the 8^th NPT Review Conference adopted its final document, in which it emphasized the need for the IAEA to play a greater role in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The CAEA hopes to see the agency earnestly fulfil its functions under the statute, proactively respond to the global nuclear revival, further increase communication with its member states, fully understand their actual needs and provide them with more tailored assistance. The CAEA is of the view that IAEA member states should study the Statute extensively, explore it intensively, reflect on it carefully, understand it correctly and implement it faithfully. The CAEA, together with other competent authorities in China, is prepared to make good on the solemn commitments entered into by Chinese leaders to step up nuclear security and bring down carbon emissions and work with other member states in supporting the secretariat in its efforts to perform its functions and contributing to the peaceful use of nuclear energy worldwide.

With the above comments, my delegation endorses the IAEA's annual report for 2009.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.