Mr. President,

First of all, I would like to thank Director General, Mr. ElBaradei for his detailed report on the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency over the past year.

We are glad to see that, with the joint efforts of the Secretariat and all member states, the Agency has carried out plenty of work through last year and scored remarkable achievements. We congratulate on the achievements made by the Secretariat and hope that, with the support of all member states, the Agency will continue to play an active role in the fields of promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Mr. President,

This year marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the IAEA. In the past 20 years, the Chinese Government actively supported the Agency in its activities of promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy and nuclear non-proliferation as mandated by the Statute.

In the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, China has enjoyed extensive cooperation with the Agency and the other member states, achieving fruitful results. As of 2003, China dispatched more than 2000 person-times to other member states for training and scientific visits, and meanwhile, received more than 1200 person-times of expert services through the Agency's Technical Cooperation (TC) programs. Over the years, China has made voluntary contribution of 13 million US dollar in addition to other contribution in kind to the Agency. At the same time, China has also provided other member states with technological personnel training for more than 2000 person-times, and organized more than 200 meetings of the Agency. Through participation in the Agency's TC programs, China, as a developing country, has not only made progress in development of nuclear power at home, but also made due contributions to peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the region.

In the field of nuclear non-proliferation, China strongly supports the Agency's efforts on enhancing effectiveness and efficiency of its safeguards regime. In 2002, China ratified the Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement, being the first among the five nuclear-weapon states to do so. In 2003, the Chinese Government published a White Paper entitled China's Non-proliferation Policies and Measures, which gives a systematic introduction of China's non-proliferation policy and practice, reflecting China's determination and sincerity for non-proliferation. In March 2004, China made political commitment to the Code of Conduct for Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. Since then, China has implemented this commitment through promulgation of relevant laws and regulations, thus establishing a national regulatory system. Moreover, China has lend support to and played a constructive role in the amendment process of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials. It is our hope that states parties will reach consensus on the amendments at an early date so that a diplomatic conference can be convened. China will continue to play a supportive part in and make due contributions to the Agency's activities.

Mr. President,

Now I would like to briefly introduce China's position on the DPRK nuclear issue and the Iran nuclear issue.

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to the peace and stability in North-East Asia. We have all along advocated that the Korean Peninsular should be denuclearized, peace and stability of the North-East Asia Region should be maintained and the DPRK nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and consultation. While addressing the nuclear issue, the legitimate security concerns of the DPRK should also be addressed.

For that purpose, China has been working hard on promoting peace and facilitating talks. So far, China has hosted three rounds of the Six-Party Talks, which established the objective of a denuclearized Korean Peninsular and the direction of peaceful settlement through dialogue. Currently, the Six-Party Talks has already entered the stage for substantive negotiations. Therefore, it is fair to say that the Six-Party Talks has achieved positive results. It is in the interest of all the parties and also the common wish of the international community to continue the Six-Party Talks process and work to start a new round of the Talks at an early date. Of course, due to the complex nature of the issue, patience, sincerity and flexibility are required on the part of all the parties. China will adhere to its objective and just position and continue its efforts for an early peaceful settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue together with the international community.

On the Iran nuclear issue, China stands for an appropriate resolution within the framework of the IAEA through dialogue and consultation. We hope Iran will continue its comprehensive cooperation with the Agency so as to clarify all the outstanding issues, and ratify the Additional Protocol as soon as possible. All parties should encourage Iran to continue to adopt measures conducive to enhancing trust and clarifying doubts.

China supports all diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iran nuclear issue at an early date and is ready to keep in touch with all the parties in this regard. It is our wish and belief that, with the concerted efforts of all parties, the Iran nuclear issue could be resolved properly within the framework of the Agency. Such a result is not only in the interest of all parties concerned but also conducive to the maintenance of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Thank you, Mr. President.