President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the opening plenary of the fourth Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in Washington on April 1, 2016. Provided to China Daily

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for strengthening global nuclear security and promoting worldwide governance on nuclear security.

In a speech at the fourth Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, Xi said that countries should build international consensus on enhanced nuclear security, have zero-tolerance for nuclear terrorism with no discrimination, and give an effective response to new challenges and threats.

"As a Chinese saying goes, 'For a tree to grow tall, it needs to have deep roots'. And we have always wanted to find a solution that addresses the root cause of the problem," Xi said.

He called on countries to plan and implement nuclear security strategy, formulate mid- and-longterm development plans for nuclear security, improve nuclear security legislation and monitoring mechanism, and ensure that relevant work receives sufficient input and support, at the national level.

"All countries should participate in nuclear security affairs, and adopt an open and inclusive spirit to forge a community of shared future on nuclear security," he said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency can play a central role to coordinate and consolidate global resources for nuclear security, and the United Nations can continue to play an important role, he added.

Xi also proposed that governments must do a good job to spread the knowledge of nuclear security and increase public understanding of and attention to nuclear security.

Xi told the summit that China has strived to explore effective ways to strengthen nuclear security, and China has already incorporated nuclear security in its national security system, written it into the National Security Law and defined its strategic nature.

"Keeping its promise on nuclear security, China has fulfilled its international obligations and political commitment," he said.

The Center of Excellence on Nuclear Security, jointly built by China and US, has been completed a year ahead of schedule and is operational in suburban Beijing.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn