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Statement by Ambassador Hu Xiaodi on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

2005-05-19 00:00

Madam Chair,

It is one of the important objectives of the NPT to promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the relevant international cooperation. Enhanced efforts in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy are conducive to fully realizing all the objectives of the NPT, promoting nuclear disarmament and preventing nuclear weapons proliferation.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should attach great importance to the need and voice of developing countries for peaceful uses of nuclear energy, further strengthen its work in technical cooperation and take effective measures to promote continued development of nuclear power and nuclear technology applications. All States Party, especially the developed ones, should pay enough attention and give support to the promotional activities of the Agency, ensure adequate funds and reliable resources for technical cooperation and facilitate the smooth operation of the relevant activities.

Madam Chair,

The Chinese Government has regarded the development of nuclear energy as an important component of national economy and energy development strategy. Nuclear power plant construction formally began in China in 1985. After more than 20 years’ efforts, China now has 9 nuclear power units in operation and 2 under construction. Nuclear power has become an important pillar of the local electric structure and made great contributions to local social and economic development, and will be further developed to meet the demand of electricity in the future development of national economy. By the year of 2020, the nuclear installed capacity is expected to expand to 36GWe, accounting for more than 4% of the total electric capacity. Nuclear power will be an important pillar of electric structure in coastal areas with developed economy and heavy electric power load.

Madam Chair,

China consistently advocates a complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons and opposes proliferation of nuclear weapons in any way to any countries. The Chinese Government honors its international commitments, devotes itself to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and implements nuclear non-proliferation policy in accordance with domestic law and regulations.

In order to contribute to the efforts of this Review Conference to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, China has submitted a working paper as contained in NPT/CONF.2005/WP.6, which elaborates China’s position on this issue and requests that the following elements be incorporated in the report of Main committee III and the Final Document of the Review Conference:

1. It is one of the important objectives of the NPT to promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the relevant international cooperation. Enhanced efforts in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy are conducive to a comprehensive realization of all the objectives of the NPT and will be helpful in promoting nuclear disarmament and preventing nuclear weapons proliferation.

2. The prevention of nuclear weapons proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy are mutually complementary and inseparably linked with each other. Non-proliferation efforts should not undermine the legitimate rights of countries, especially the developing countries, to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

3. A proper balance between the safeguards and the international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy of the IAEA will entail more chance for active support of and participation in the IAEA’s activities.

4. Technical assistance to the developing countries on peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be further strengthened.

5. Adequate fund should be guaranteed for the IAEA’s promotional and technical cooperation activities. All states parties should contribute to the Technical Cooperation Fund in full and in time.

6. Governments should take primary responsibility of physical protection of nuclear material and facilities. International cooperation in this field should be strengthened and supported, including the efforts by the IAEA. Resources requires to achieve these goals should be allocated through means other than compromising the key activities of the IAEA, particularly its promotional activities.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

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