Mr. Chairman,
Peaceful uses of nuclear energy are one of the three mainstays of NPT, and inalienable rights assigned by the treaty to all countries. Peaceful uses of nuclear energy is favorable to the world’s peace, health and prosperity, and will facilitate the comprehensive achievement of all targets of NPT, and advance the progress of nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.
The efforts to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons shall not impair the legitimate rights for peaceful uses of nuclear energy of all countries, especially the developing countries, Meanwhile, measures shall be actively taken to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons. The two mainstays complement each other, and emphasis on either one shall go against the sustainable development of nuclear power.
Mr. Chairman,
The promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and relevant international cooperation is one of the important goals of NPT and the Statute of IAEA. The IAEA has played a central role in this regard and has provided extensive assistance to its member states through technical cooperation and other assistance modes, and won full recognition from its member states. China appreciates the efforts made by the IAEA. The IAEA’s promotional activities and technical cooperation activities for peaceful uses of nuclear energy shall be ensured by commensurate resources. All IAEA member states shall make full and timely payment to the Technical Cooperation Fund. We call for all member states, especially the developed countries, to consider the practical demand of the developing countries and to continuously strengthen the assistance to the developing countries on peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
China has always been making contributions to the international cooperation of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The International Construction Training Center on nuclear power, which was set up by China and the Agency, has provided training services for nearly 200 trainees from 36 countries since 2012 in nuclear power infrastructure construction. China positively supports the Agency's nuclear application laboratory renovation project, in addition to the donation of a new radiation system worth 2.5 million dollars, China donated 2 million euros for laboratory infrastructure. In 2016, China hosted a series of international conferences, including the the 20th Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference and the 9th International Youth Nuclear Energy Congress, providing cooperation platforms for colleagues in the nuclear field.
Mr. Chairman,
At present, the world pattern is undergoing profound changes. Global governance system is at a turning point in history, the world is facing economic growth slowdown, continued weak energy demand, severe anti-terrorism and security situation, environmental pollution, climate change and other risks and challenges.
China attaches great importance to the issue of sustainable development and climate change, and takes the development of nuclear energy as an important measure to promote energy conservation and pollution prevention, to stabilize economic growth, to optimize the energy structure and to achieve green and sustainable development. At present, mainland China has 36 nuclear power units in operation, 20 nuclear power units under construction, which ranks first in the world. According to China's the adjusted Medium- and Long-term Nuclear Power Development Program, the total installed capacity of operational nuclear power plants will reach 58 GWe and another 30 GWe under construction by 2020. While accelerating the construction of nuclear power, we pay great attention to innovation and development of nuclear energy as well. -The “Hualong One” nuclear power plant that adopts the 3rd generation of nuclear power technology independently designed by China, is under construction both in domestic and foreign country, showing the safety and economy of its technology has been recognized. Large advanced pressurized water reactor CAP1400 and small module reactor ACP100 have gone through the Generic Reactor Safety Review by the IAEA, and have met the conditions for engineering construction.
China issued the "13th Five-Year Nuclear Industrial Development Plan" this February, and will launch a number of major projects in the next five years which will further promote the application of nuclear technology and the comprehensive development of nuclear industry.
China's nuclear science and technology are widely used in food irradiation, radiation chemical industry, industrial inspection and other fields and has accumulated a lot of experience. In order to promote the achievement of 2030 sustainable development goals, China is willing to use existing resources to provide assistance to the IAEA to support developing countries to obtain low-carbon, clean energy technology, including nuclear professional human resource training, agricultural pest control and food safety, health care infrastructure construction and public health, water resources and environmental management.
Mr. Chairman,
China highly values the cooperation with other countries in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy under the premise of nuclear non-proliferation, and has been always committed to sharing the experience of peaceful use of nuclear energy. China attaches particular importance to the cooperation with developing countries, and has been working towards providing assistance to other countries that aspire to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including emerging nuclear power countries. All these partnerships have received safeguard or supervision by the IAEA, or been carried out under IAEA technical cooperation projects. The JCPOA has entered into the stage of implementation, China upholds a responsible attitude to the implementation of the JCPOA, and has carried out fruitful cooperation with the United States, Iran and other parties, promoting the renovation project of the Arak heavy water reactor to make progress.
Mr. Chairman,
Nuclear security and nuclear safety is an important premise of the healthy and sustainable development of the peaceful use of nuclear energy. China has always attached great importance to related issues. China has upheld the "safety first, quality first" approach in nuclear energy development. We have set up a strict regulatory system on nuclear safety, and have kept an excellent safety record. After Fukushima nuclear accident, China carried out in-depth research and draw lessons from the accident. Besides, a comprehensive nuclear safety inspection was carried out in China, which investigated risks term-by-term, formulated rectification plans, improved the regulatory system in nuclear field and enriched the nuclear safety supervision and nuclear emergency-respond team. China is undergoing the legislative process of the Atomic Energy Act, the Nuclear Safety Act and the Nuclear Security Regulations. At present, all nuclear power units in mainland China have maintained a good safe operation record.
Mr. Chairman:
The establishment of a global nuclear security system is the common responsibility of the international community. The international community should adhere to a sensible, coordinated and balanced value of nuclear security. All countries should step up political input, enhance national responsibility, intensify international cooperation and consolidate the culture of nuclear security, improve regulations and standards system, strengthen capacity building, establish a network for education and training, make joint efforts to build a global nuclear security system featuring fairness and cooperation with mutual benefit.
Since its operation in March 2016, the Center of Excellence on Nuclear Security has carried out a series of training activities in cooperation with the IAEA. We will use existing platforms including the CoE and the China Customs Radiation Detection Training Center to organize training programs of nuclear security professionals, exercises and exchanges regarding nuclear security technologies and other activities. We welcome the participation of Asia Pacific countries, countries along the Belt and Road and other developing countries in relevant projects and will stay in close cooperation with the IAEA. Recently, the project of low-enrichment conversion of the Ghana Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) undertaken by China has achieved a milestone, we are willing to build on the Ghana model and help countries convert HEU-fueled MNSR imported from China under the principle of voluntarism and pragmatism.
Mr. Chairman,
The Chinese delegation has submitted a working paper on the issue of peaceful uses of nuclear energy which elaborates China's relevant positions. We hope the elements contained therein will be reflected in the report of this PrepCom. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.