Mr. Chair,

The peaceful uses of nuclear energy is an inalienable right of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons(NPT). Promoting relevant international cooperation is conducive to the full attainment of the objectives of the NPT, as well as advancing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation process. The peaceful uses of nuclear energy is an important means for the international community to meet challenges of climate change, inject driving force into global economic development, and achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal. It also embodies the fundamental role of the NPT in promoting peace and development in this new era. The States Parties are entitled to continuously enjoying the benefits of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and international cooperation in this field should become the most noticeable highlight in the NPT review process.

Due to the dual-use nature of the nuclear technology, nuclear energy cooperation should strictly observe bilateral agreements and relevant international obligations in order to prevent nuclear proliferation. At the same time, China believes nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy are complementary and mutually reinforcing. Efforts to prevent proliferation should not undermine the rights of parties to peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Furthermore, we are strongly opposed to politicizing the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, or even using it as an instrument to suppress competitors through disrupting and impeding regular international cooperation.

To encourage the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and international cooperation is one of the important goals of the statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). China highly commends the central role of the IAEA in this field in providing assistance to its member states through technical cooperation and other means. China calls on all member States to make full and timely payment to the Technical Cooperation Fund so as to ensure sufficient resources for the IAEA's relevant activities. We also encourage all member States, especially developed countries, to further enhance assistance to developing countries in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Mr. Chair,

China has submitted to this PrepCom its National Report on the Implementation of the NPT, which contains a comprehensive description of China's achievements in honoring its NPT commitments. As a practical measure taken by China in promoting progress in the NPT review process, this reflects China's firm political support for the Treaty.

For many years, China has been actively promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We have carried out relevant international cooperation, accumulated valuable experiences and made remarkable achievements. After six decades of hard work, China has set up a nuclear industry suited to its own national conditions. China actively promotes nuclear power plant construction, and at present, mainland China has 45 nuclear power units in operation and 18 nuclear power units under construction. China also attaches great importance to nuclear technology innovation. Nuclear power plants adopting China's own 3rd generation of nuclear power technology "Hualong one" are under construction both at home and abroad and are progressing smoothly. The HTGR project and the China Fast Reactor Demonstration Project are moving forward smoothly, and the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) Project has registered good progress.

China actively participates in international cooperation of peaceful uses of nuclear energy and has signed inter-governmental agreements of cooperation with more than 30 countries. China supports relevant multilateral cooperation in facilitating applications of nuclear technology and nuclear energy and stays committed to assisting other emerging nuclear power countries in this respect. China supports the IAEA technical cooperation activities and donated over 6.4 million euros to the TC Fund in 2017, ranking the third among member States. In collaboration with relevant countries within the framework of IAEA, China has completed the low-enrichment reconstructions of Miniature Neutron Source Reactor of Ghana and Nigeria respectively in August 2017 and December 2018, in contributions to the better applications of nuclear energy. China is ready to continue to promote the low-enrichment reconstruction for other countries' research reactors based on the past successful models and experience.

Mr. Chair,

Nuclear safety and security are key elements in safeguarding healthy and sustainable development of nuclear energy, to which China attaches great importance. China keeps improving its nuclear security and safety legal system and building up relevant capabilities, and earnestly fulfills its national responsibilities. China has made all efforts to ensure the safe and reliable operation of nuclear facilities and has maintained a good record of nuclear safety. China's Nuclear Safety Law entered into force last year and the Atomic Energy Act and the Nuclear Security Regulation are in legislative process, which will help further improve the nuclear regulatory system and ensure the healthy development of China's nuclear energy industry. Furthermore, China supports and has actively participated in relevant international cooperation. In October 2018, together with the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, China held a Workshop on Combating Nuclear Terrorism and Nuclear Emergency Response at Major Public Events, with the aim of promoting capacity building through exchanges of experiences and practices among partner states. China will continue making full uses of the Center of Excellence on Nuclear Security and Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center and Custom Training Center for Radiation Detection to facilitate nuclear security cooperation, and welcomes the participation of other countries.

In the process of global nuclear industry revival, countries should further strengthen nuclear safety and improve public confidence in nuclear energy. We believe that, with our joint efforts in deepening cooperation and promoting innovation and with safety as the priority, the peaceful uses of nuclear energy will play a bigger role in realizing the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, fighting against climate change, improving ecological environment and promoting the development of human society.

The Chinese delegation has submitted a working paper on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We hope the elements contained therein will be duly reflected in the report of this PrepCom.

Thank you Mr. Chair.