Distinguished Minister Lee Hee-Beom, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It’s my great pleasure to lead the Chinese delegation to Seoul, the beautiful capital of the Republic of Korea, and have the opportunity to preside together with Minister Lee over the Korea-China Nuclear Technology Forum. Here I would like to, on behalf of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (COSTIND), PRC and representatives from China’s nuclear industries, express my heart-felt appreciation to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy of ROK and the Korean nuclear industries for their careful arrangement for the event and hospitality extended to me and my delegation.

The friendly exchanges between China and Korea dated far back in history, and the two countries have maintained deep traditional friendship. With the push given by the state leaders in recent years, the relationship between the two countries has further improved, and cooperation in economy, trade, science and technology and education developed rapidly in broadened fields and diversified forms. This forum, held in such circumstances, will surely bring positive affects to further promoting the science and technology cooperation and trade between the two sides.

Minister Lee, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Peaceful uses of nuclear energy were one of the greatest achievements of mankind in the 20th century. With 50 years of development, its importance to energy supply around the world has been widely acknowledged.

In the new century, the Chinese Government included nuclear power into the national electricity development plan as an important component of the state energy strategy. A policy of promoting nuclear power development positively has been formulated. The portion of nuclear in energy supply will be improved in a phased manner. According to the preliminary plan, China’s nuclear power installed capacity will reach 36,000 to 40,000 MW by 2020, accounting for around 4% of the national total installed capacity. Nuclear power is going to play a more important role in power development in the future. It is an important measure China adopted to optimize energy mix, protect environment and realize sustainable development.

At present in the mainland of China, there are 9 nuclear reactor units in operation, and another 2 to be put in commercial use soon. Those units in operation have kept a good safety record. The management level and operation performance are improving continuously. After more than 20 years of development, China has established firm basis and sound capability for the R&D, engineering design, equipment manufacturing, civil engineering, operation and management related to nuclear power technology. The Chinese nuclear industries are now able to independently design and construct 300 MW and 600 MW PWR units, and construct 1000 MW PWR units through cooperating with international partners. In the process of nuclear power construction in the future, China will rely mainly on her own strength while introducing advanced proven nuclear power technology from other countries to actively promote the self-reliance of design and localization of equipment manufacturing, and fulfill the objective of the plan.

While putting a great deal of efforts in developing nuclear energy, China pays close attention to nuclear energy application in other countries, the neighboring countries in particular. Korea, on the other side of the sea from China, is one of the countries with fastest development of nuclear energy in the world. A total of 19 nuclear power units have been established and in safe and efficient operation in Korea. Based on introduced technologies, a series of standardized reactor units have been developed successfully. Korea has embarked on a road of independent design, construction and operation of nuclear power reactors. Korea’s success in nuclear power, especially localization, has caught wide attention in the nuclear circles in China.

Minister Lee, Ladies and Gentlemen,

China and Korea have common objective and rich experience in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and technology, and have formulated positive plans for nuclear energy development. The similarities and complementarities in the process of nuclear energy development provide good foundation for exchange. With years of joint efforts, nuclear institutions and enterprises have carried out exchange in nuclear power localization, nuclear safety, research reactor, isotope production, radioactive waste disposal, nuclear agricultural science, and training. Expanded cooperation and exchange in these fields not only help to promote the common development of nuclear energy in this region, but also bring positive affects to the revitalizing nuclear energy industry across the whole world. It is with this intention that Minister Lee and I gave full support to this forum.

With careful planning, discussions and preparation of half a year, the Chinese side dispatched a large delegation consisting of representatives from enterprises of nuclear power plant designing, equipment manufacturing, construction, operation and maintenance. They are going to hold expansive and in-depth discussions with Korean counterparts. This fully demonstrated the high importance the Chinese side attached to this forum and the nuclear energy cooperation between the two countries. I wish this forum will help the authorities and industries of the two countries increase mutual understanding, enhance confidence and find common ground and effective ways for cooperation.

Looking forward into the future, I am optimistic about the substantial cooperation between the two countries in nuclear energy. COSTIND is willing to make joint efforts with Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy of Korea to provide good conditions for cooperation between enterprises and institutions of nuclear energy and nuclear technology application of the two countries.

I wish this forum a great success.

Thank you.