Foreign and Military Affairs

China to pay high attention to nuclear safety

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-07 21:15
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VIENNA - A Chinese representative on Monday stressed at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board Meeting that China attaches great importance to nuclear security as the country is actively developing the peaceful use of nuclear energy, including nuclear power projects.

At the Copenhagen conference, China's promise on reducing carbon emissions not only demonstrated its responsible attitude on environmental issues to the international community, but also brought new opportunities to China's nuclear industry, said Chen Qiufa, chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority and director of the Chinese mission to the IAEA.

"In the process of expanding the capacity of the nuclear industry, China has been giving top priority to nuclear safety in order to improve the overall supervision of nuclear safety and nuclear emergency management," Chen said in his speech.

He also said that China also attaches great importance to the safety and security of nuclear material and facilities, citing the fact that China is one of the first group of countries that signed on the amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.

He added that the China Atomic Energy Authority expects the IAEA to implement its responsibility in "statute" and "actively face the challenges from the global nuclear energy recovery, further strengthen its communication to member states, completely understand the actual needs of countries, and provide its member states with more targeted assistance."