Author:Gu Xinping

　　VIENNA, Sept. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- China unswervingly pursues the policy of nuclear non-proliferation and upholds the comprehensive ban and complete destruction of nuclear weapons, a senior Chinese official said here on Monday.

    "China opposes proliferation of nuclear weapons in all forms, and actively takes part in international cooperation in non-proliferation," said Zhang Huazhu, head of the Chinese delegation to the 48th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

    In the past few years, he said, the Chinese government took a series of effective measures concerning non-proliferation and prevention of nuclear terrorist activities, contributing to the international endeavor of non-proliferation.

    China, which supports the IAEA’s efforts in promoting the effectiveness and efficiency of its safeguards regime, was the first among the five nuclear weapon states to ratify the Additional Protocol to Safeguards Agreement in 2002, making a new contribution to the construction of international non-proliferation regime, he said.

    Zhang said that the Chinese government promulgated in 2003 a White Paper entitled "China’s Non-Proliferation Policies and Measures," which makes a systematic description of China‘s determination and sincerity in this aspect.

    He said that China stands for modification of the Convention on Physical protection of Nuclear Materials, and has played a constructive role in the process of modification. "We wish signatory states will reach agreement on the content of modification on an early date."

    "China has so far signed or acceded to all international treaties or conventions on nuclear non-proliferation and relevant international organizations. China will perform its international duties in a highly sincere and conscientious sense," the Chinese official said.

    Referring to the promotion of activities, Zhang said that China has cooperated widely with the IAEA and its member states in nuclear power, nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear safety and radiation protection, applications of nuclear technology and personnel training, and fruitful achievements have been scored.

    According to rough statistics by 2003, China has dispatched more than 2,000 persons to other member states for training and scientific visits, and accepted more than 1,200 person-times of expert service through the agency‘s technical cooperation programs, he said.

    On behalf of the Chinese government, Zhang announced that China will make an extra-budgetary contribution of one million US dollars to the IAEA again, which will be used to support the latter’s technical cooperation programs designed for developing countries and the endeavor of strengthening nuclear security.

    "By the end of 2003, China has made voluntary contribution of 13 million US dollars, and other contribution in kind to the IAEA," he said.

    The Chinese official said that upon the request of the IAEA, the UN nuclear watchdog, China has also provided to other member countries technological, personnel training and expert services over 2,000 person-times, and took part in more than 200 meetings of the agency.

    Besides, he said, China is the leading country in nuclear agronomy cooperation, contributing to the development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Turning to the nuclear issue of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Zhang said that China stands for keeping the Korean Peninsula free from nuclear weapons and maintaining its peace and stability.

    "We hold that the issue should be settled peacefully through dialogues and negotiations, and the DPRK‘s justifiable concerns for safety should be satisfied in the process," he added. Enditem