Enhance International Cooperation To Ensure Safety of Nuclear Energy

Speech by Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang At Kyiv Summit on Safe and Innovative Use of Nuclear Energy

2011/04/19

President Viktor Yanukovych,

Dear colleagues,

I feel deeply honored to attend the Kyiv Summit on Safe and Innovative Use of Nuclear Energy as representative of President Hu Jintao. Given the wide concern about nuclear safety in the international community, it is very timely and necessary for us to discuss the development of nuclear energy and explore ways to enhance nuclear safety.

The nuclear accident in Chernobyl of Ukraine 25 years ago and the recent nuclear leak in Fukushima, Japan are disasters that have caused much grief. They have sent a repeated warning that safety guarantee must be the prerequisite for developing and utilizing nuclear energy. Past lessons should be remembered and serve as a guide for future endeavors. Peaceful uses of nuclear energy remains an important step to address global energy shortage and climate change. We must maximize the benefits and avert possible harm of nuclear energy with a view to benefiting the mankind. To this end, the international community needs to fully appreciate the extreme importance and urgency of strengthening nuclear safety, and work together to promote the safe development of nuclear energy. China wishes to make the following four points in this regard.

First, enhance institutional and capacity building. Countries need to establish and improve regulations, standards, and supervision and management systems for nuclear safety and security. We should strengthen nuclear safety measures, intensify personnel training, promote nuclear safety culture, and improve emergency management mechanisms with a view to enhancing the capability for the prevention and control of nuclear accidents.

Second, rely on science and technology to provide guarantee. Countries need to actively promote scientific and technological innovation, increase input in scientific research, develop and share safer and more efficient nuclear energy technologies, and work harder to tackle key technical issues relating to the management of radioactive waste and prevention and control of nuclear contamination so as to boost public confidence in the safety of nuclear power.

Third, work more closely together to ensure safety. We should draw serious lessons from relevant nuclear accidents, consolidate existing frameworks of international law, give full play to the leading role of the IAEA in the field of nuclear safety, actively conduct international cooperation, and enhance the safety and reliability of nuclear power.

Fourth, faithfully implement relevant treaties to guard against risks. We should strictly abide by the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, enhance non-proliferation cooperation and reduce nuclear proliferation risks.

Dear colleagues,

To make peaceful use of nuclear energy and increase the share of clean energy is an important part of China's energy development strategy. The Chinese government has always attached high importance to nuclear safety and adhere to the principle of safety first in nuclear energy development. We have brought in and applied advanced nuclear power technologies to provide technical guarantee for nuclear safety. We have set up integrated systems of laws and regulations on nuclear safety as well as nuclear safety supervision and nuclear emergency response. Through independent, strict and effective nuclear safety supervision, we have ensured the safe and reliable operation of our nuclear facilities with a good nuclear safety record, which has enhanced public confidence in developing nuclear energy.

In the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear accident, the Chinese government acted quickly and adopted prompt response measures. We have organized comprehensive safety checks on nuclear facilities and strengthened safety management of operating nuclear facilities. We have conducted comprehensive reviews on nuclear power plants under construction and made new safety evaluation. We have started to formulate nuclear safety plans, and adjust and improve the medium- and long-term nuclear power development programs. And we will adopt stringent standards for the approval of new nuclear power projects.

The Chinese government will continue to act in a way that is responsible to the society and its people, adopt more effective safety measures, faithfully fulfill its international obligations, actively and prudently develop and utilize nuclear power, and promote the safe, sound and sustainable development of nuclear energy.

Dear colleagues,

The international consensus on nuclear safety and security is now growing, and some countries and international organizations have offered many thoughts and proposals aimed at strengthening nuclear safety and security. China is ready to work closely with all countries and international organizations to promote safe and secure development of nuclear energy. I am confident that through the concerted efforts of the international community, we will be able to utilize nuclear energy in a safer and more efficient way so that nuclear energy will bring greater benefits to the mankind.

Thank you.