Mr. President, 

First of all, I would like to extend warm congratulations on your election to the presidency of the current General Assembly. I am convinced that your rich experience and diplomatic talent will lead this conference to a complete success. I would take this opportunity to express our cordial welcome to delegations of the State of Eritrea and the Kyrgyz Republic as new Members.

Mr. President,

The past year witnessed recommendable achievements of the Agency in various aspects. As to nuclear power, the Agency continued promoting positively the R&D on innovative nuclear reactors and fuel cycles, which injected new vitality to the development and uses of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in the new century. As to nuclear safety, the Agency has been devoted to establishing and improving safety criteria covering all aspects of nuclear activities, pushing international cooperation on radiation sources and radioactive material safety, providing all kinds of related services and thereby raised the nuclear safety level of the world. In the aspect of nuclear technology application and cooperation, the Agency helps in establishing strategic partnership of technology cooperation focusing on the demands of Member States, through technology transfer and capacity building. These measures advanced the application of nuclear technology in agriculture, hydro resource development, medicine and environmental protection, which leads to marked social and economical benefit of Member States. The “Nuclear Technology Review” by the Secretariat that made an overall survey and assessment on nuclear technology progresses is helpful for the governments and public of Member States to understand the reality in this field. In the aspect of safeguards, the “Integrated Safeguards” framework has been preliminarily set up and implemented step by step, representing a new stage of the Agency’s safeguards activities. As nuclear security is concerned, the Agency responded quickly to the appalling “911” terrorist attack in the US: the Director General organized experts from Member States to explore measures against nuclear terrorism, and the Board of Governors reviewed and approved relevant working plans which is now in implementation. All the above-mentioned achievements are the outcome of the common efforts of the Member States and the Secretariat, and fully reflected the vitality of the Agency’s work.

Mr. President,

Now I would like to explicate the Chinese Delegation’s views and positions concerning the issues the Agency faces and its work in the future.

1.The Agency shall continue promoting the development and utilization of nuclear energy and technologies.

In the speech in the 45th Session of General Assembly last year, the Chinese Delegation expounded its views on the importance of nuclear power in sustainable development and the due role of the Agency in this regard. We hold that the energy mix shall be optimized and the proportion of the use of clean energy increased so as to protect the environment on which mankind depends for existence and sustain development. Practice of more than 40 years is sufficient testimony that nuclear energy is clean, safe and economical. Nuclear power, accounting for about 1/6 of the total power generation of the world, made great contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gases discharge. We are pleased to take not that many countries, together with China, support including nuclear energy into CDM. We are also aware that the new energy programs of some big energy-consuming powers encourage the use of clean energies including nuclear. We hold that the Agency, the most authoritative inter-governmental organization in nuclear field, shall continue to deem it its responsibility to promote the development of nuclear energy and technologies, strengthen its efforts, and fully play its role in coordinating the development of the new generation nuclear power technology. China constantly supports the Agency in its work in this aspect, and will made due contribution. Promotion of the development and utilization of nuclear technologies is one of the most important responsibilities of the Agency, and is critical to the developing members in settling issues concerning agriculture, ecological environment, hydro resource management, and medical care. TC of the Agency, as a key channel of transferring nuclear technologies to developing countries, shall be sufficiently funded and get reliable sources. The parties have reached consensus on the TC budget in the next 2 years as a result of rounds of consultations. China will, as always, positively support and participate in the Agency’s TC activities, pay sufficient TC fund in time*, and make extra contribution.

China, the largest developing country in the world, definitely supports the global efforts to relieving climate changes. The Chinese Government proceeded from the national situation and set forth the principle of “developing nuclear power moderately” in its Tenth Five-Year Plan for National Economy and Social Development. Two nuclear power reactors were put into commercial operation this year in China, and other six reactors will be put in use in the next 2-3 years. While planning and evaluating new nuclear power programs, we also attach great importance to developing and using advanced technologies to continually improve the utilization factor of the traditional fossil fuels. We are willing to join hands with other countries to make contributions to protecting the “Global Village” of the mankind.

2.The Agency shall continue to play its role as the core of Nuclear Safety international cooperation.

Though the primary responsibility for nuclear safety lies with the government of the concerned country, international cooperation in this field is indispensable and vital. The Agency shall continue to play its role as the core of international cooperation on nuclear safety. After years of efforts, a series of international legal documents on nuclear safety have been concluded and took effect. The safety guides, standards and regulations drafted by the Agency with the support of Member States played an important role in increasing the nuclear safety level of the world. The Agency devoted much efforts in helping Member States reinforce nuclear safety infrastructure facilities, improve related laws and regulations, and strengthen work on safety weakness of research reactors. The Chinese Delegation generally supports the Agency’s new attempt in setting up an Asia Nuclear Safety Network Center to promote regional nuclear safety cooperation with modern network technology. We wish this center will further strengthen the nuclear safety technology exchange and personnel training among related Member States, and provide more practical help to developing countries.

3.The Agency shall form an effective shield against nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism activities.

Verification on nuclear activities in concerned countries according to NPT and Safeguards Agreement is one of the statutory responsibilities of the Agency, and practice of more than 40 years proved the effectiveness of the Agency's work in this field. The framework of “integrated safeguards” has been preliminarily set up and implemented step by step, representing substantial progress. The Chinese Delegation support the Agency in its work concerning safeguards. The Chinese Government has made new contribution to the global non-proliferation regime by informing the Agency that the Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between China and the Agency took effect on March 28, 2002. We expect that the additional protocols of other Member States, nuclear states in particular, will go into force at an early date.

The “911” terrorist attack took place in the US a year ago sounded the alarm for the whole world. Preventing terrorists from attacking nuclear facilities or damaging or threatening the public security with “dirty bombs” containing radioactive materials has become priority of all countries and this Agency. China opposes terrorist activities in all forms, and hold that all countries bear unshirkable responsibilities to preventing nuclear terrorist activities, and the international community shall strengthen cooperation in this regard. Governments of all countries shall give great importance to and take necessary preventive measures against potential nuclear terrorist activities. China support the Agency in making contribution to preventing potential nuclear terrorist activities according to the aim and principle of the Statute, and is willing to provide related assistance such as finance, material and expert services. The Chinese government will cooperate with the Agency and related Member States to hold a training course on physical protection of nuclear materials and nuclear facilities in China this year, to explore measures against nuclear terrorist activities and train personnel. The Chinese Government will provide convenience and necessary financial aid to it. Chinese technological and legal experts participated in modifying the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and made due contribution.

Mr. President, peace and development remain the two themes of the world in the new century, which gives the Agency significant and arduous tasks. The Chinese Delegation is convinced that with the common efforts of the Member States and the Secretariat, the Agency will realize its responsibilities and make due contribution to promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy and preventing nuclear proliferation.

Thank you, Mr. President.