Zhang Dejiang said, accelerating nuclear power development was the important part of China’s energy development strategy. China’s peaceful use of nuclear energy has now entered into a rapid development phase and already established a fairly complete nuclear industrial system with a certain scale of installed capacity and power generation capacity. A fleet of new nuclear power projects started construction, and the engineering construction and R&D projects related to the demonstration projects of the introduction of the third-generation advanced nuclear technology have been moving on smoothly. Nuclear energy is playing an increasingly important role in the national economic development. China also attaches great importance to nuclear safety and has established complete nuclear safety legal, regulatory and emergency response systems, which has assured safe and secure operation of nuclear facilities and maintained a good safety record.

Zhang affirmed that, as a responsible and peace-loving state, China consistently advocates complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, and is sternly against proliferation of nuclear weapons of any form. China will continue to strictly abide by its international obligation and actively participating in global non-proliferation efforts and establishing international systems in this area. China would join other countries and international organizations to make active contribution to maintaining and promoting international peace and safety and assuring peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Zhang also said that, against the backdrop of international financial crisis, the Conference has given a rare opportunity to the international nuclear community to exchange experiences, discuss  future strategy, and sustainable development of nuclear energy. He hoped that all parties could conduct in-depth discussions, increase understanding, narrow difference, and converging viewpoints, so as to make important contribution to the development of global nuclear energy undertaking.

Before the opening ceremony, Mr. Zhang Dejiang met with IAEA Director General Dr. Elbaradei, saying that the Chinese Government highly values IAEA’s role in peaceful use of nuclear energy and non-proliferation, and expressing the willingness to continue and expand the cooperation and thanks to the Agency for its assistance.