Co-Presidents and colleagues,

First of all, on behalf of the Chinese delegation, I would like to congratulate Ambassador Benno Laggner and Ambassador Suleiman Umar on your assumption of the Co-Presidents of the Conference of the Parties to the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material(A/CPPNM). I am confident that under your able leadership, the Conference will achieve great success.

Co-Presidents and colleagues,

The world today is in the midst of great changes not seen in a century. Security threats and challenges keep emerging. The root causes of terrorism are far from being eliminated. Preventing criminal acts involving nuclear material in the case of unlawful acquiring,using or trafficking nuclear material or malicious sabotage of nuclear facilities and responding to nuclear terrorism are not only relevant to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in all countries, but also a matter of international peace and security. Since the Amendment to the Convention entered into force, it has laid the foundation of international law for States Parties to strengthen their national responsibility, improve their legal systems and enhance their institutional measures. It has played an important role in maintaining the international nuclear security system and advancing the global nuclear security governance.

As a State Party to the Convention and its Amendment, China has always strictly fulfilled its relevant international obligations and attaches great importance to national responsibility for nuclear security. China pursues a rational, coordinated and balanced approach to nuclear security and regards nuclear security as an essential part of its overall national security.

First, China adheres to the rule of law. China promulgated ‘Regulations on the Nuclear Material Control’ and its detailed rules for the implementation as early as in 1989 upon accession to the Convention. Following the entry into force of the Amendment, China has also promulgated ‘National Security Law’ and ‘Nuclear Safety Law’. China has established a comprehensive and effective nuclear security regulatory system and physical protection regime.

Second, China conducts rigorous management of nuclear material licensing, with a multi-sectoral and coordinated regulatory and law enforcement mechanism to supervise the whole process of the design, construction and operation of the physical protection system of nuclear facilities and the production, transportation, storage and use of nuclear material. China implements strict nuclear security measures at ports, borders, transportation hubs and for the major public events. China has built a tight and lasting nuclear security defence line and maintained a sound track record of nuclear security.

Third, China presses ahead with the nuclear security capacity building by upgrading the physical protection systems of outdated nuclear facilities, applying the highest international standards for the newly built nuclear facilities and increasing investment in nuclear security technological innovations . China has set up a National Control Centre for Nuclear Material and Facilities Security, which leads to significant enhancement of its capacities to respond to traditional and emerging threats.

Fourth, China continues to foster nuclear security culture focusing on the awareness of the rule of law, the sense of urgency, self-discipline and coordination, which is adhered to by all practitioners in their mind and action.

Co-Presidents and colleagues,

China is committed to building a peaceful, cooperative and win-win international nuclear security system and has been actively involved in international cooperation. China has always supported the Agency in playing a leading role in promoting international cooperation on nuclear security. China has contributed to the Nuclear Security Fund for the past 10 years and actively participated in the Agency's Nuclear Security Plan. China invited the Agency to conduct the International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission in China. In cooperation with the Agency and other relevant countries, we have completed MNSR conversion to LEU in Ghana and Nigeria and set up a ‘Collaborating Center on Nuclear Security Technology’ and a ‘Collaborating Center for Nuclear Security Capacity Building for Front-line Officers’ in China. China has concluded intergovernmental agreements on cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy with more than 30 countries and has strictly fulfilled its obligations related to the physical protection in bilateral cooperation. China has established nuclear security cooperation mechanisms with the US, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, the EU, ASEAN and other countries and regions. The Center of Excellence on Nuclear Security jointly built by China and US has trained domestic and foreign practitioners for more than 5,000 person-times and has become an influential platform for nuclear security training and exchange in the Asia-Pacific region.

Co-Presidents and colleagues,

Based on its own compliance practice, China believes that the Amendment to the Convention remains adequate under the current circumstances. China appreciates the efforts made by States Parties and the Agency for the effective implementation of the Amendment. China calls on more countries to consider ratifying the Amendment and establish corresponding national systems and measures. Meanwhile, China respects the right of each country to adopt the most suitable nuclear security policy and measures according to its own national conditions. China is ready to work with the Agency and other Parties to promote the universal implementation of the Amendment. China supports the reconvening of the Conference of the Parties at an appropriate time in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Amendment, and reviewing the implementation and adequacy of the Amendment in a timely manner in the light of the development of nuclear energy technologies and the evolving security threats, so as to consolidate the international nuclear security system and global nuclear security governance.

Co-Presidents and colleagues,

In accordance with relevant article of the ACPPNM, the activities of armed forces during an armed conflict, and the activities undertaken by the military forces of a State in the exercise of their official duties, are not governed by this Convention, therefore relevant issues are outside the mandate of the COP. With regard to nuclear safety and security of the nuclear facilities in Ukraine, China is concerned. China notes the information which the IAEA has received from the Ukrainian nuclear regulatory authorities and circulated in a timely manner, and also notes the information and clarifications provided by the Russian side. China supports the IAEA to provide assistance for the proper settlement of relevant issues in accordance with its mandate and calls on relevant countries to act in a cautious manner so as to ensure the safety and security of nuclear material and nuclear facilities in Ukraine.

Thank you Co-Presidents.