Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese delegation thanks the report presented by Mr. Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on the work of the Agency.

Over the past year, the IAEA has implemented the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change in accordance with its obligations under the Statute, and has made positive progress in promoting the use of nuclear energy and nuclear technology, strengthening global nuclear security and nuclear safety and maintaining nuclear non-proliferation. China appreciates the hard work done by the Agency.

At present, with the growing momentum and wider use, the application of nuclear technology and nuclear energy are playing more important roles in ensuring energy supply, mitigating climate change and achieving sustainable development. However, the international nuclear non-proliferation situation is severe, while the nuclear terrorist threat cannot be ignored. And the global nuclear governance still remains a long-term arduous task. China hopes that the Agency should upholding the principle of “Atom for Peace and Development” and focus on the following aspects in its future work:

First, to promote the development of nuclear energy and the application of nuclear technology. The Agency is encouraged to advance the nuclear technical exchanges and cooperation by increasing its investment of resources, especially by making full use of technical cooperation as a channel to provide supports and assistance to developing countries in their nuclear power construction and nuclear technology application, so as to make the benefits of nuclear energy shared by all.

Second, to improve the safeguards system. IAEA should commit itself to safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as its cornerstone, and continue to enhance the universality, effectiveness and efficiency of its safeguards system on the basis of ensuring impartiality and objectiveness. The IAEA Secretariat is expected to continue its dialogue and communication with member states on the implementation of state-level safeguards.

Third, to strengthen the global nuclear safety and nuclear security. China supports the Agency to continue promoting the implementation of the 2018-2021 Nuclear Security Plan, Nuclear Safety Standards and Nuclear Security Guidelines, assisting member states in their capacity building, and promoting international and regional cooperation, so as to contribute to the creation of an international nuclear security system featuring fairness and win-win cooperation.

Fourth, to address regional hot-spot nuclear issues in an impartial and objective manner. The comprehensive and effective implementation of the JCPOA is conducive to upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime as well as peace and stability in the Middle East and serves the common interests of the international community. China appreciates the Agency’s efforts in facilitating the implementation of JCPOA, and supports the fulfillment of its monitoring and verification mandate. China has decided to contribute another 1.5 million RMB to the Agency. China welcomes the positive developments in the Korean Peninsula situation, and supports and encourages the efforts made by all the relevant parties towards realizing denuclearization, lasting peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula, and supports the Agency to play its due role in applying safeguards in the DPRK subject to its mandate.

Mr. Chairman,

China attaches great importance to its nuclear energy development, and has always adhered to the sensible, coordinated and balanced approach to nuclear security brought forth by President Xi Jinping. China sticks to the principle of “Safety First” and has kept a good record of nuclear safety. In January of 2018, the Nuclear Safety Law entered into force, which has provided a strong support for the safe and sustainable development of nuclear energy. China always supports and has actively participated in international nuclear cooperation, and is willing to enhance all round cooperation with the IAEA. By making full use of the Center of Excellence on Nuclear Security and Custom Training Center for Radiation Detection, China is ready to carry out exchange and training programs with all other parties so as to make due contributions to the healthy and safe development of regional and global nuclear energy.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.