[CAEA news]  Conference to Consider and Adopt Proposed Amendments to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) was held in Vienna on July 4. 91 states parties with 350 representatives were present in the conference. Chinese government sent a delegation to attended this meeting.

    In order to prevent and fight against nuclear terrorism, Chinese Government has consistently attached a great importance to the Physical Protection on Nuclear Material and supported international community to improve and perfect the relevant international legal system in accordance with change of international security environment. 

    Since the accession to the CPPNM in January of 1989, China has strictly fulfilled its obligations required by the Convention. When the Amendments to the Convention was started up in 1999, China began to participate in the negotiation process of amendments seriously and responsibly and claimed that any amendments to the Convention shall be conducive to the enhancement of effective protection on nuclear materials and facilities which are for peaceful purpose. China was against any form of military intimidation to nuclear facilities of other countries which are for peaceful uses.  This stance has won the wide support from the states parties. China’s proposal has made significant contribution to the amendments process of the convention.

   The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material was made in 1979, and opened for signature on 3 March 1980, the Convention entered into force on 8 February 1987. There were 112 Parties states in total. This convention, oriented to promote development and utilization of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes of each states parties, intends to strengthen the utilization, storage and transportation of nuclear materials, and prevent potential hazards incurred by illicit possession and usage of nuclear materials. This conference is expected to be concluded on July 8.