Distinguished Mr. Chairman,
I'm very honored to attend this ministerial conference. On behalf of China Atomic Energy Agency, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the opening of this conference.
With the development of global nuclear energy industry and wide use of nuclear technologies, we are facing increasingly onerous challenges to prevent theft and illegal use of nuclear and radioactive materials. In the meantime, the current international security situation is complicated and changeable. The risk of loss and spread of nuclear materials is on the rise. The threat of nuclear terrorism can't be ignored. The nuclear security situation is still serious.
The international community is making active efforts to cope with this severe nuclear security situation so as to ensure sound development of the nuclear energy industry and maintain the security and stability of the international community. The first Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington in 2010 . Participants reached a consensus in the field of nuclear security and started up a new progress in jointly coping with challenges in this field. At the second summit in Seoul in 2012, world leaders reaffirmed the political commitment to nuclear security. Over the past three years, nuclear security work has been strengthened all over the world and new progresses have been made continuously.
IAEA is playing an irreplaceable role in facilitating international cooperation in nuclear security and improving the nuclear security in the world. It organized the formulation of the widely accepted Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. The Nuclear Security Programme is providing a lot of service for member states to build their nuclear security standard systems and improve their nuclear security capabilities. The Illegal Trafficking Database (ITDB) collects and analyzes information on illegal trafficking of nuclear or other radioactive materials. It provides an important reference for member states to assess relevant threats. The Nuclear Security Series is becoming a principal criterion for nuclear security work in many countries. The network of nuclear security support centers is serving as a helpful platform for enhancing interaction and coordination between member states and international organizations. This conference is another key step to promote international cooperation in nuclear security. It will surely help improve the global nuclear security level and reinforce the international cooperation.
Mr. Chairman,
The Chinese government consistently attaches great importance to nuclear security work. The Chinese President had attended the Nuclear Security Summit held in 2010 and 2012, and put forward important propositions such as uphold nuclear security concept, strengthen capability building and deepen international cooperation. It always put nuclear and radioactive materials under strict control. Over the years, the government has issued a series of regulatory and technical documentation. An effective nuclear and radioactive materials management framework has been established gradually, with a licensing system for nuclear materials and radioactive sources. At the same time, the government is also committed to continuously increasing the investment, improving the legislative system, strengthening the human resources and raising the management level in this field. The State Nuclear Security Technology Center was created under the China Atomic Energy Authority in November 2011 to further improve the capability and to ensure the security of nuclear materials and nuclear facilities. As a technical support unit, the center will play an active role in several areas. First, carry out researches on nuclear security policy, regulation and technical codes; second, carry out research on technologies used in nuclear material import and export control; third, perform international cooperation in nuclear security.
China has earnestly performed its international obligations. China has ratified the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. We have adopted stricter measures in nuclear material protection. In April this year, China and IAEA co-sponsored a workshop in China. Governmental officials from Asia-pacific states were invited to discuss experience in ratifying the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and sharing measures to implement the Amendment. China has earnestly fulfilled its obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolutions 1540 and 1887, and has taken strict steps against illegal acquisition of nuclear and other radioactive materials. Nuclear installations, materials and other radioactive materials are safe and under control in China.
China has carried out extensive international cooperation. The Chinese president attended the Nuclear Security Summit twice and made important proposals for strengthening the world's nuclear security work. China supports IAEA in its efforts to play a central role in international cooperation in nuclear security. We have signed the Practical Arrangements on Nuclear Security with the IAEA and carried out close and highly effective cooperation in this field. As an initial partner of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, China has actively attended all its meetings and relevant activities. In addition, we have conducted bilateral exchanges with many countries. We are now building a Center of Excellence on Nuclear Security in China with other countries concerned. This project is going on well and expected to put into service in 2015 as planned. It will provide an important platform for personnel training, technical exchange and international cooperation in nuclear security in China and the Asia-Pacific region and contribute to promoting development of nuclear security in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.
China has actively provided assistance to other countries. In cooperation with IAEA, we had held several training courses and workshops on nuclear security in China every year. In recent years, China has provided assistance to other countries in the region by way of technology demonstration and personnel training. Moreover, we have contributed to IAEA's Nuclear Security Fund many times to support improvement of the nuclear security capability in Asia-Pacific countries. Beyond this, China will provide another one million dollars to this Fund and donate nuclear security equipment developed by China to IAEA. China is converting research reactors from highly enriched uranium fuel to low-enriched fuel. We would like to help other countries to convert their research reactors by using experience and results accumulated in our work.
Mr. Chairman,
Building a world with universal security is the common goal of international community. Enhanced nuclear security serves the common interest of all countries. It is also an obligatory duty for all governments. Full implementation of nuclear security measures will create a favorable environment for all countries to use nuclear energy peacefully and ensure sustainable nuclear energy development.
As an old Chinese saying goes, people with a common belief and goal help and supplement each other. With the international community together, China stands ready to deliberate, consolidate and improve the international legal framework for nuclear security. We will make more efforts to strengthen the nuclear security capability. We would like to take the state responsibility for nuclear security and deepen cooperation to raise the global nuclear security level and contribute to building a harmonious world with enduring peace and common prosperity.
Wish this conference a great success!
Thank you.