Madam Chairperson,

This is the first time for me to attend the Board of Governor’s meeting being as the Resident Representative of China to IAEA. First of all, please allow me to take this opportunity to extend my regards to all Governors, Ambassadors and Representatives to the Agency. Bearing in mind the spirit of Vienna, I will cooperate fully with all delegations, and participate in the work of the Board actively in constructive way.

Madam Chairperson,

I fully associate myself with the statement just made by the distinguished Ambassador of Indonesia on behave of G77 and China.

Since the procedure for appointing the next Director General being started at last September Board meeting, 7 months have passed, and only one candidate is presented, that is, the current Director General Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei

In his past more than 7 years’ tour of duty, Dr. ElBaradei, facing with various complicated situation, has shown his preeminent leading capability and extrordanary diplomatic talent, as well as the international staff’s objective and impartial position. Hence, he wins full confidance of the member states. The Chinese Government highly appraises the work of Dr. ElBaradei and believes that Dr. ElBaradei is the best candidate for the next Director General. China and many other other developing countries suppports from the beginning the continuation of his duty as the Director General for the next term.

Madam Chairperson,

Consultations have been conducted repeatedly since this year. Dr. ElBaradei has won broad and strong support from the member states. we hope that the Board would appoint Dr. ElBaradei by consensus.

Madam Chairperson,

Not long ago, the 21st Century Nuclear Energy Conference held in Paris published an important statement by the participated ministers regarding the promotion of nuclear energy development for the new century. Next week, the states parties of the NPT will gather in New York to review the issues of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, nuclear nonproliferation etc. The Agency has shouldered indispensable responsibility either in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy or in the nuclear nonproliferation. The international community is looking forward to the Agency’s continuing important role. Therefore, if the Board could make an early decision for appointing the Director General, a clear message would be sent out to the international community, i.e. the Agency is a unified international organization and has the capability to address any kinds of challenges.

Here, My delegation would like to call on the relevant countries, proceeding from maintaining the credibility and solidarity of the Agency, to listen carefully and consider fully the opinion of most member states, and join the consensus at an early date, so as to facilitate the Board reappointing Dr. ElBaradei as the Director General.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson.