On 22 May, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi paid visit to State Nuclear Security Technology Center (SNSTC), during his first visit to China since his appointment as Director General of the IAEA in 2019. Mr. Liu Jing, Vice Chairman of China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) held brief talks with Mr. Grossi. After that, Director General of SNSTC Mr. Li Ziping gave an introduction of SNSTC’s background, functions & missions, as well as main work in nuclear security training, international cooperation and exchanges, particularly the cooperation with the IAEA. Secretary General of CAEA Mr. Deng Ge attended the meeting.

Mr. Liu Jing pointed out the CAEA attaches great importance to cooperation with the IAEA and has established close collaboration in the field of nuclear security with the IAEA through the SNSTC. He proposed three points for the future cooperation. Firstly, the extension of the IAEA collaborating centre for nuclear security technologies should be completed this year. Secondly, CAEA is willing to dispatch more cost-free experts in full respect of the practical needs of the IAEA. Thirdly, CAEA would like to hold the IAEA staff recruitment and nuclear safeguards inspectors training courses through the SNSTC. Mr. Liu Jing expressed the will to strengthen further cooperation in the field of nuclear technologies applications including sharing China’s good practices in irradiation breeding with the IAEA.

Mr. Grossi showed his confidence to deepen the cooperation with the SNSTC after hearing the presentation of Mr. Li Ziping, especially the engagements with Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre (NSTDC) in Seibersdorf. As the bellwether of developing countries, China is prestigious among countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America. Through innovative cooperation methods like launching specific projects, China could further share good practices and achievements in nuclear security, help other IAEA Member States eliminate concerns of developing nuclear security and expand collaboration in wider areas, Mr. Grossi suggested.

Mr. Grossi and his colleagues also visited Demonstration Hall of Advanced Nuclear Security Technologies, Analytical Labs and Environmental Testing Labs, Outdoors Physical Protection Testing Field, Nuclear Security Response Forces Training and Exercises Facilities. During the technical tour, he inscribed words for SNSTC, which reads “Nuclear security is an essential element of the successful development of nuclear energy and its applications. The center provides excellent, and state of the art preparedness to make the promise of nuclear a reality. Congratulations! You can count on the IAEA now, and in the future.”