November 13, 2000, Bangkok

Mr. Chairman,

I am honored to be invited to this ministerial meeting of the First Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA). At the outset, please allow me to congratulate you on assuming the chairmanship of the meeting. I am convinced that this conference will be a complete success under your leadership. And now I would like to brief the conference on China's activities in peaceful application of nuclear energy and the development ideas facing the 21st Century. I will also elaborate on the Chinese Government's basic positions and views about FNCA.

With 50 years of development, a comprehensive nuclear science, technology and industry system has taken shape in China. China has scored substantial achievements in military conversion, the peaceful application of nuclear energy in particular. Up to now, 2 nuclear power plants of 3 units with a total installed capacity of 2100 MW have been established and in safe operation, and 4 NPPs of 8 units with a total installed capacity of 6600 MW are under construction.

China carried out the research and development of Advanced Pressurized Water Reactor with inherent safety while ensuring the stable development of nuclear power. The Experimental High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor is going to be accomplished and the Demonstrating Low Temperature Nuclear Heating Project has been in stable operation since it was put into use in November 1989.

In addition to achievements in nuclear power, China also made major development in nuclear technology application. The 1990s, in particular, witnessed rapid increase of the use of particle accelerators in China's industry and medicine, as well as the wide application of cobalt sources. Technology of isotope and radiation is developing into a hi-tech industry. It broke from traditional application field and infiltrated into the edge of modern science and technology and new fields (like life sciences and material sciences), thereby forming a new economic growth point.

China attaches great importance to the issue of nuclear safety and has made tremendous input of manpower and capital in all aspects concerning nuclear safety. A comprehensive nuclear safety regulations system has been set up. China Atomic Energy Authority, National Nuclear Safety Administration and operation entities carried out various kinds of activities of nuclear safety culture these years, including international cooperative activities to improve safety mentality of the management personnel and technicians and enhance the nuclear safety culture level in all aspects.

Mr. Chairman,

This year marks the turn to the century, and the Chinese Government is formulating the planning for peaceful application of nuclear energy of the first 5 years of the new century. The rapid development of China's economy makes increasing demand on energy. In energy construction, China will make full play of its resource advantages, optimize energy structure, promote utilization factor, and strengthen environmental protection so as to achieve sustainable development. Nuclear power, as a safe and clean energy, will be developed in an appropriate way and play its role in energy construction in the future. In the first decade of the 21st Century, China's nuclear power will be developed following the guideline of "relying on our own strength while cooperating with foreign partners, introducing technology and promoting localization" with stress on safety, economicality, reliability, and mature technology. With the construction of follow-up projects, China's nuclear power will achieve self-reliance in design, manufa
cturing, construction and operation.

At the meanwhile, we are also making positive efforts in developing the advanced nuclear power reactor of next generation focusing on the development of pressurized water reactor with non-active safety, following the international R&D activities on renovated nuclear power reactor, carrying forward the development of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor and fast neutron reactor, and using nuclear energy in seawater desalination while constructing low-temperature nuclear heating demonstrative reactor.

Nuclear technology application will be positively promoted to achieve further industrialization. Vigorous efforts are exerted on widening the application of isotope in nuclear medicine and life sciences, such as developing new radioactive pharmaceuticals and digital diagnostic equipment used in modern nuclear clinical practices, and expanding output and variety of RIA kit and its application scope. The capability of radioactive processing of agricultural by-products is expanded, and so is the application of irradiated cross-link thermal-shrinkage products and cable in industries. The industrialization of dealing with "waste solid, waste water and waste gas" by radiation will also be promoted.

China will further the research and development in all aspects of fundamental studies of nuclear science such as nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, radiation chemistry, controlled nuclear fusion and plasmatic physics, reactor physics, *accelerator technology, advanced nuclear exploration and analysis, nuclear safety and radiation protection.

The coming of the 21st Century with knowledge economy brings promising prospect for peaceful use of nuclear energy. We sincerely expect to strengthen cooperation with all Asian countries in these aspects.

Mr. Chairman,

This conference is the first one since ICNCA was renamed FNCA. As a connecting link, this conference undertakes an important task of reaching consensus on the working orientation of FNCA. The Chinese Delegation would like to share with you our views in this regard:

First, we fully recognize the positive role of ICNCA up to now. The past decade witnessed swift growth of Asian economies and vigorous development of nuclear energy and technology application. Under such circumstances, the ICNCA held once a year since 1990 played an important role in promoting the cooperation and exchange of Asian Countries in peaceful application of nuclear energy and technology. The FNCA, as is newly renamed, does not have substantial difference with ICNCA from which it originated. And the major function of FNCA is to carry on the cooperation and exchange of Asian Countries in peaceful application of nuclear energy and technology for common development.

Secondly, FNCA shall give prominence to special features of Asia to avoid overlapping or simple duplication of the work of IAEA and other related international organizations. As in our view, the nuclear activities in Asia got 2 distinct features. Rapid development is one of them. Asian Countries caught the world's attention by economic development as well as nuclear power and nuclear technology application. In terms of nuclear power, the total nuclear power generation capacity of the 9 countries participating FNCA was only 37GW in early 1990s, and rose to 59 GW (with the exception of that in Taiwan) by the end of 1999. In addition, there are as many as 16 nuclear power reactors under construction in this region (with the exception of Taiwan) with the total capacity of 15 GW. However, the development of nuclear power and nuclear technology application varies largely and has different emphasis in different countries. Only 3 of the 9 participating countries have NPPs. There are also large differences in nuclear
technology application. Therefore, FNCA shall take full account of the above features in its work to pay equal attention to nuclear power and nuclear technology application, consider both popularization and promotion so that all participating countries can benefit from its activities.

Thirdly, the Chinese Delegation always holds that the major function of FNCA is to exchange information and coordinate cooperation. This Forum is not a permanent regional organization and shall not become one in any form. Its function is clearly defined by its name. Participating countries may make full exchange of views, share experience and explore issues facing this region with the help of the Forum. It can also be utilized in organizing and coordinating related cooperative activities including seminars, scientific visits, joint researches, etc. The Forum shall play a bigger role in promoting the application of nuclear energy and technology in industry, agriculture, public health and environmental protection, nuclear safety and radiation safety, public acceptance and training in this region.

Mr. Chairman, and Colleagues,

Asian Countries are facing with new challenges and opportunities in the new century. FNCA, as a forum where views and information are exchanged in nuclear field, undertakes important responsibilities in promoting peaceful application of nuclear energy, as expected by relevant countries of Asia. We are convinced that as long as we adhere to the basic principles and targets of FNCA, and strengthen cooperation on the basis of equality, the activities of FNCA will be full of vigor and vitality.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.