Foreign and Military Affairs
Hu vows coordinated action to secure nuclear material
By Wu Jiao (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-04-14 01:00
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Washington - President Hu Jintao has called for effective action to strengthen international cooperation on nuclear security to stop deadly materials falling into the hands of terrorists.
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 Chinese President Hu Jintao is pictured during the first plenary session of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington April 13, 2010. [Agencies] |
Speaking to world leaders from more than 40 heads of states and representative of international organizations at the global Nuclear Security Summit，the Chinese President said the potential threat of nuclear terrorism cannot be neglected.
In a bid to provide assistance to other developing countries, Hu said that China is "considering setting up a nuclear security 'Center of Excellence' in order to play a bigger role in regional nuclear security."
It is not clear which countries China will work together to set up such a center.
In line with the goal, Hu also said the IAEA and developed countries should respect the wishes of developing countries, act in light of their needs and existing conditions, and offer greater economic, technical and human resources assistance to developing nations in order to achieve nuclear security for all.
Hu made the remarks while addressing the summit focusing on combating nuclear terrorism and illicit trafficking of nuclear materials. The summit is attended by dozens of heads of state and representative of international organizations.
"With non-traditional security issues becoming more prominent, the potential threat of nuclear terrorism cannot be neglected, and the risk of nuclear material diversion and illicit trafficking is on the rise," said Hu.
"It's incumbent upon all countries to properly address the nuclear security challenge, ensure sustained and sound development of nuclear energy, and uphold international security and stability."
Hu also said "With a responsible attitude, China attaches great importance to the issue of nuclear security and firmly opposes nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism."
Hu reiterated that China has consistently stood for complete prohibition thorough destruction of nuclear weapons and stayed firmly committed to a nuclear strategy of self-defense.
"We have adhered to the policy of non-first-use of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstance, and made the unequivocal commitment that we will unconditionally not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones," Hu said.
Hu also proposed three other steps to help safeguard the world, first through honoring national commitments and responsibilities.
He said all countries should fulfill relevant international obligations, and reinforce domestic legislation and regulatory control; adopt effective measures to secure nuclear materials and facilities within respective jurisdictions, promote nuclear security culture, improve export control, and enhance nuclear security capacity.
Second, consolidate the existing international legal framework; All countries should work for the early entry into force of the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, and promote universality of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts and Nuclear Terrorism; should fully implement relevant UN security Council resolutions, effectively fight illicit trafficking of nuclear material, and prevent non-state actors from obtaining such material.
Third, handle properly the relationship between nuclear security and peaceful use of nuclear energy; Nuclear security measures should help forester an enabling environment for peaceful use of nuclear energy by all countries and facilities related international cooperation.
Stressing that China firmly oppose nuclear weapons proliferation, Hu also said that the country strongly supports efforts to enhance international nuclear security and the equal right of all countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Hu said the China has put in place a fairly complete legislative and regulator framework for nuclear security, and taken effectively steps to ensure the security of nuclear materials and facilities.
"China supports and has strictly complied with existing international nuclear security conventions and relevant UN Security Council resolution," said Hu.
China also value and taken an active part in international cooperation on nuclear security, according to Hu.
"China has given active support to IAEA's work in nuclear security. And China is an initial partner of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism", Hu said.
Hu said that as China has cooperated well with IAEA and relevant countries in the field of nuclear security during the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, China will continue with such cooperation in the upcoming Shanghai World Expo.
"China stands ready to share experience with other countries on nuclear security for important events," Hu said.
"China has provided assistance within the realm of its capabilities to other countries in the region by way of technology demonstration and personnel training," said Hu.
