Mr. President,
I am very pleased to once again lead the Chinese government delegation to attend the General Conference of the IAEA. On behalf of the Chinese delegation and in my own name, I would like to extend congratulations on your election as the President of this General Conference. I believe that your rich diplomatic experience and wisdom will guide the conference a complete success.
Mr. President,
The year 2011 is an extraordinary year in the international nuclear field. Over the past year, the Agency has conscientiously performed its duties under the Statute by maintaining a balanced development of two major mandates of promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons, achieving fruitful results in various fields of work. Especially after the Fukushima nuclear accident, the Secretariat immediately activated the international nuclear emergency response mechanism, and had played an irreplaceable role to keep the member states abreast of latest information so that they could accurately judge the situation. In June 2011, the Agency timely convened the Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety. The Declaration adopted at the Conference and the Nuclear Safety Action Plan subsequently passed at the General Conference have become essential documents for the international community to follow in the efforts to strengthen nuclear safety. The Action Plan is being effectively implemented, which has played an important role in restoring the confidence in nuclear power development across the world. The Agency has been once again widely recognized by the international community for its leading position and professional competence in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and international cooperation in the nuclear field.
Nuclear safety is the lifeline of nuclear energy development. The Chinese government has always given high attention to nuclear safety and nuclear emergency preparedness and response. After the Fukushima nuclear accident, the Chinese government has launched the national nuclear emergency coordination mechanism, closely followed the latest development of the accident and taken positive and effective response measures, and then organized a comprehensive safety inspection of all nuclear facilities. In June of this year, the relevant government departments released the "Comprehensive Safety Inspection Report about National Civilian Nuclear Facilities" and "the 12th Five-Year Nuclear Safety Plan and the 2020 Vision", to solicit public comments and suggestions. On September 6, the nuclear safety plan was approved by the State Council. In addition, the Chinese government has and will continue to strengthen nuclear safety and nuclear emergency infrastructure building, improve the legislation and regulatory systems, expand management teams, and to step up efforts in personnel training and technology research and development. These actions fully demonstrate that the Chinese government has the firm confidence and resolve to develop the nuclear power in a safe and efficient manner.
Mr. President,
The Fukushima nuclear accident has once again triggered a wide-ranging discussion and deep reflection on the issue of the use of nuclear energy, and countries are having increasingly in-depth and rational understanding on the development of nuclear energy. Nuclear power, as a form of energy that is technically proven, safe and can be applied in large-scale, remain to be the essential option of many countries in their energy development strategy. The nuclear power development momentum of the world has not fundamentally changed by the Fukushima nuclear accident.
China firmly pursues a development strategy to actively promote energy conservation and energy mix optimization, and makes great efforts to increase the proportion of clean energy through the development of nuclear power. In March of this year, the Chinese government reiterated the policy of safe and efficient development of nuclear power to achieve optimization of energy structure in the annual government work report. In last April, a Qinshan Phase II nuclear power unit which is designed by China itself has been put into operation. Up to now, there are 15 nuclear power units in operation, with an installed capacity of 12.53 GWe. All units have maintained a good record of operation, and their major performance indicators have reached the international advanced level; 26 units are now under construction, with installed capacity of almost 30 Gwe. It is expected that in 2015 China will achieve the target of 40 GWe ahead of the schedule prescribed in the mid and long-term nuclear power development plan.
In order to achieve the safe and sustainable development of nuclear energy, China has continuously increased investment in nuclear science basic research and advanced nuclear technology development, so as to enhance nuclear safety through technical innovation. Since the early 1970s, China has never stopped the efforts in research and development, design, and construction of nuclear power plants for 40 consecutive years. In addition, efforts have been made to summarize its own development experience and learn from international mature technologies. On such a basis and by following the IAEA safety standards, China has developed indigenous pressure water reactor technology on par with the third-generation nuclear power safety, technical and economic indicators, and relevant designs have been improved by incorporating the lessons from the Fukushima nuclear accident. A thematic exhibition entitled "Innovative Nuclear Power Technology in China" is held on the margin of the conference. We cordially invite all delegates to visit the exhibition.
In the process of making efforts in independent innovation, China has actively participated in international cooperation by joining international research projects such as INPRO, GIF, and ITER, actively contributing to the research and development of next generation nuclear energy technology.
Mr. President,
The security of nuclear material and nuclear facilities are critical to the development of nuclear energy. The international community is increasingly concerned about the threat of terrorism involving nuclear and radiation. The Agency established a Nuclear Security Guidance Committee, to promote formulating guiding documents such as the Nuclear Security Fundamentals. The Agency has been actively providing nuclear security advisory services to member countries, supporting member states to strengthen nuclear security system.
The Chinese government attaches great importance to nuclear security. Chinese President Hu Jintao attended the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit in March of this year, expounded China's policy and propositions on nuclear security issues. President Hu Jintao stressed in particular the importance of improving the level of global nuclear security by deepening the international exchanges and cooperation. At present, the State Council has approved the construction proposals of the newly established State Nuclear Security Technology Center, and all preparations are going on in an orderly fashion. China will make endeavors to build the center into a regional center of excellence, and jointly cooperate and interconnect with other centers, to enhance nuclear security level in the region. In addition, China support the leading role of the Agency in the field of nuclear security, and will continue to offer contributions to the Nuclear Security Fund.
Mr. President,
Promoting the wide application of nuclear energy and nuclear technology through conducting technical cooperation is an important mission of the Agency conferred by the Statute. Over the years, based on the TC platform, the Agency has made remarkable contribution to the economic and social development in developing countries. Being an active supporter and participant in the Agency's TC programme, China donates its contributions to the TC Fund on time and in full, and provide support within its means for the smooth implementation of the TC projects. In April of this year, China hosted in Beijing the 34th RCA Representatives Meeting and 40th anniversary achievements exhibition, which fully demonstrated the 40 years of fruitful cooperation results of RCA, and the meeting arrangement has been well received by the RCA members.
Mr. President,
For years, the Agency has contributed tremendously to preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and safeguarding world peace. China has always supported the nuclear non-proliferation efforts of the international community and the nuclear safeguards activities of the Agency. China has joined all major international non-proliferation mechanisms, and has put in place a complete domestic nuclear material and nuclear export control system. China is willing to make its due efforts to support the Agency to enhance safeguards verification ability.
China has always supported the Agency's role and efforts made in the settlement of hot-spot nuclear issues. In dealing with the Iranian nuclear issue and Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, the Agency should continue to keep an objective and fair stance and play a constructive role to promote solution of relevant issues through diplomacy and dialogue. China is willing to work with all parties concerned to continue to advance the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and maintaining regional peace and stability.
Mr. President,
As an old Chinese saying goes, "A single thread can't make a cord nor a single tree a forest". We believe that, with the concerted efforts of the member states and the Secretariat, the Agency can seize the opportunities and meet the challenges, making greater contribution to the peace, prosperity and development of mankind.
Thank you for the attention.
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