（May 2010, New York）

Mr. Chairman,

The development and utilization of nuclear energy was one of the greatest scientific and technological achievements of the 20th century. It brought benefits to the people and spurred human progress. With the advent of the 21st century, nuclear energy has played a greater role in economic and social development. More and more countries take nuclear energy development as an important option for meeting energy demands and optimizing energy mix. Nuclear energy, as a technically proven, clean, safe and economically competitive source of energy, will make a greater contribution to the sustainable development of the mankind.

China always believes that it is the inalienable right of the States parties to the NPT to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It is also one of the fundamental objectives of the NPT and the Statute of the IAEA. Respecting and safeguarding this right enjoyed by the states parties and promoting relevant international cooperation is conducive to a comprehensive realization of all the objectives of the NPT, as well as advancing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation process. The promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the prevention of nuclear weapons proliferation are of the same importance and are mutually complementary and reinforcing. Non-proliferation efforts should not undermine the legitimate right of countries, especially that of the developing countries, to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Mr. Chairman,

The International Atomic Energy Agency has been playing an important role in assisting countries’ peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Over the years, the IAEA, in accordance with its relevant mandates entrusted by the Statute, has provided assistance to its member states in the field of nuclear power, nuclear safety, waste management and nuclear technology application through technical cooperation. It is China’s hope that the IAEA intensify its efforts in this regard, and extend their technical assistance to member states, especially the developing countries. Member states, particular developed countries, should increase their attention and support to technical cooperation so as to ensure the IAEA activities in all fields be carried out in a comprehensive and balanced manner. Adequate resources should be guaranteed for the IAEA promotional and technical cooperation activities. All states parties should pay in full and on time contributions to the Technical Cooperation Fund.

Nuclear fuel supply assurance is of great importance to promoting the development of nuclear energy. Over the past period, the international community has put forward a number of initiatives with regard to multilateral nuclear supply mechanisms. Since those initiatives involve political, economical, technical and legal factors, the international community should carry out in-depth and extensive discussions to find a practical way acceptable to all, and meanwhile, the right of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy should not be affected. The IAEA may play a positive role in this regard.

Enhancing nuclear security is of great significance to ensuring the sustainable development of nuclear energy. All countries bear the responsibilities to take physical protection measures to secure nuclear material and facilities within their respective jurisdictions. Earnest efforts should be made to consolidate the existing international legal framework and strengthen international cooperation. IAEA should continue to play a leading role in the field of nuclear security.

Mr. Chairman,

China has set up sound nuclear industry system, and the role of nuclear energy in China’s economic development is gradually displayed. In the new century, China has made the strategic decision of actively promoting nuclear energy development, and has formulated Mid-and-Long term Nuclear Power Development Plan. Meanwhile, priority has been given to research and development of next generation technologies. China’s peaceful uses of nuclear energy have entered a new era on a fast phase.

China attaches great importance to nuclear safety and nuclear security. China has acceded to the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, and has established relatively complete systems for nuclear safety regulation, supervision management and nuclear emergency response which are in line with international standards. China has maintained a good record in the safe operation of its nuclear facilities. China has built nuclear security capacity in an all-round way, honored international nuclear security obligations, valued and taken an active part in international cooperation on nuclear security, and actively provided nuclear security assistance to other developing countries. China ratified the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material in 2008, and has started the domestic ratification process for the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. China actively supports the IAEA activities in the field of nuclear security, and had good cooperation with the IAEA and relevant countries in this field during the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. China is willing to share the experiences with other countries.

China attaches importance and has actively carried out international cooperation in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. China successfully co-organised the International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century. All countries exchange views on experiences and future strategies concerning the development of nuclear energy, and reached wide consensus. China has conducted fruitful cooperation with the IAEA in nuclear technology, nuclear safety, non-proliferation, and human resource. China actively participates in important international cooperation programs such as GIF, ITER and GNEP. China has signed agreements on peaceful uses of nuclear energy with more than 20 countries and organisations, and has carried out mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation. With the precondition of ensuring peaceful uses of nuclear energy, China also provided support to other developing countries. China will, as always, participate in relevant international cooperation, and continue to make due contributions to promoting the nuclear energy development of the world.

The Chinese delegation submitted a working paper entitled Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy at this Review Conference. We hope that the elements in the working paper be fully reflected in the final document of the Conference.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.