Mr. President,

China thanks Director General Grossi for his briefing. Over the past year, under the leadership of the Director General, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has remained committed to its mission of "Atoms for Peace and Development" and continued to advance its work in such areas as safeguards, nuclear safety and security, international cooperation on nuclear energy and sustainable development. The Agency has made positive progress in safeguarding the international nuclear safety and non-proliferation regimes, promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and contributing to sustainable development. China commends the Director General and the Agency's Secretariat for their work.

At present, the global nuclear energy sector is developing steadily. Nuclear energy and nuclear technology applications play an important role in addressing climate change, facilitating energy transition and promoting safety and security governance. At the same time, challenges to nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear safety remain severe, while politicization and undue restrictions persist in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The IAEA should uphold its objective, impartial, independent and technical character, promote consensus-building, dialogue and cooperation, and focus on the following three areas.

First, strengthen support for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The Agency should work with all parties to oppose unilateralism and protectionism, safeguard the legitimate rights of Member States to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and continue to provide assistance to Member States, particularly developing countries, in developing and utilizing nuclear energy and nuclear technology. China has submitted to the First Committee of the General Assembly at its current session the draft resolution entitled "Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security". The draft resolution reaffirms the international consensus on non-proliferation and calls for safeguarding the right of all countries, particularly developing countries, to peaceful uses. China hopes that all parties will actively support the draft resolution.

Second, promote political and diplomatic solutions to hotspot issues. The IAEA should maintain an objective and impartial position, strictly discharge its responsibilities in accordance with its mandate, and facilitate efforts by the parties concerned to move towards each other and resume dialogue and negotiations. The Iranian nuclear issue must ultimately be properly resolved through diplomatic means. Resorting to force, sanctions and pressure will only exacerbate tensions and differences. As a non-nuclear-weapon State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Iran should fulfill its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, and its legitimate right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be respected. Security Council resolution 2231 has expired and terminated. The Security Council and the IAEA should cease their consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue, and the Director General should discontinue the submission of related reports.

Third, strengthen the IAEA safeguards system. The nuclear submarine cooperation among the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia (AUKUS) contravenes the object and purpose of the NPT, poses serious nuclear proliferation risks, and presents grave challenges to the Treaty and the IAEA safeguards system. The international community has fully recognized the complexity and sensitivity of the issues involved. A solution acceptable to all parties should be sought through an open, transparent, inclusive and sustainable intergovernmental process on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

Mr. President,

China attaches great importance to and supports the important role of the IAEA in global nuclear governance and development. China is committed to strengthening cooperation with the Agency, promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. China stands ready to work with the Agency and other Member States to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, jointly build a just, equitable, universally beneficial and inclusive global nuclear governance system, and make greater contributions to advancing the peaceful uses of atomic energy.

Thank you, Mr. President.