(1st May, 2018 Geneva)

Mr. Chairman,

Peaceful uses of nuclear energy are one of the Three Pillars of the NPT, and inalienable rights assigned by the Treaty to all States parties. Peaceful uses of nuclear energy are favorable to the world’s peace, health and prosperity, facilitating the comprehensive achievement of all objectives of the Treaty, and advancing the process of nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.

Mr. Chairman,

The world is undergoing profound changes. Global economic growth lacks energy; anti-terrorism and security situation is still severe. We are facing multiple risks and challenges such as environmental pollution and climate change. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the sustainable development and the issue of climate change, and is actively establishing a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system. As a clean and green energy source, nuclear power is an important choice for optimizing energy structure and achieving green and sustainable development. At present, mainland China has 38 nuclear power units in operation, 18 nuclear power units under construction which ranked first in the world. China will steadily promote nuclear power plant construction under the safe and efficient policy and achieve the goal of 88GWe total installed capacity of nuclear power plants both in operation and construction by 2020. We also pay great attention to innovation of nuclear energy development. China's own 3rd generation of nuclear power technology “Hualong one” is under construction both in domestic and foreign countries and is progressing smoothly.

China has issued the “13th Five-Year Nuclear Industrial Development Plan”. A number of major projects to be carried out during the 13th Five Years will further promote the application of nuclear technology and the comprehensive development of nuclear industry.

China has accumulated a lot of experience on nuclear science and technology. We are willing to use existing resources to provide assistance to the IAEA in supporting developing countries obtaining 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, to promote the achievement of 2030 sustainable development goals.

Mr. Chairman,

The promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and relevant international cooperation is one of the important objectives of the NPT and the Statute of IAEA. China appreciates the efforts made by the IAEA in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Relevant activities of the IAEA should be ensured by commensurate resources. All IAEA member States should make full and timely payment to the Technical Cooperation Fund. We call on all member States, especially developed countries, to take the practical demand of developing countries into consideration, and continuously strengthen the assistance to developing countries on peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

China takes practical action to support the IAEA in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy. In the past 30 years, China has donated 46 million U.S. dollars to the Agency’s Technical Cooperation Fund. It has received more than 3,000 scholars from other countries to study and train in China, and sent more than 2,000 experts to developing countries for technical service. China has donated over 6.4 million euros to the Technical Cooperation Fund in 2017, ranking third among member States.

Mr. Chairman,

Nuclear safety is of utmost importance to the healthy and sustainable development of the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the world. China has always attached great importance to nuclear safety. We adhere to the safe and efficient policy and upholds the “safety first, quality first” approach in nuclear energy development. we have established a strict regulatory system on nuclear safety to ensure the safe and reliable operation of nuclear facilities. The Nuclear Safety Law has entered into force this year and the Atomic Energy Act and the Nuclear Security Regulation are in legislative process. These laws and regulations will further improve the nuclear regulatory system and ensure the safe development of China's nuclear energy industry.

Mr. Chairman,

China attaches great importance to nuclear security capacity building and is continuously improving the nuclear security regulations. The Center of Excellence on Nuclear Security, as the largest regional demonstration center, has carried out a series of training activities in cooperation with the IAEA and has become an important platform for nuclear security. We would like to use the CoE to further enhance relevant international cooperation, construct a network for nuclear security capacity building, and carry out training of nuclear security professionals, exercises, exchanges, and other activities. We welcome the participation of Asia Pacific countries, countries along the Belt and Road and other developing countries in relevant projects.

Mr. Chairman,

China attaches importance to the cooperation with other countries in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy under the premise of nuclear non-proliferation, and always adheres to the “Opening-up and Win-Win” principal to carry out international cooperation. China pays special attention 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 energy countries. At present, China has established a scholarship for atomic energy, It will fund for 40 students from emerging nuclear energy countries each year to study nuclear science and technology in China. We welcome the participation of relevant member States. China's commitment to the low-enrichment reconstruction of the Ghanaian Miniature Neutron Source Reactor has been a success. We are willing to continue to promote the low-enrichment reconstruction for other countries' research reactor with our successful experience.

Mr. Chairman,

Nuclear energy has benefited all mankind in the area of energy, industry, agriculture, medical, and environment since the beginning of its application, and China is one of the benefiters. However, there are ups and downs in the development of nuclear energy, and one country's nuclear accident may affect the global development of nuclear energy. Therefore, we share a common future in the cause of global nuclear energy development. China will continue to develop and expand the peaceful uses of nuclear energy with a responsible attitude. We call on all member States to work together, deepen cooperation, continue to innovate, ensure nuclear safety, and promote the nuclear energy to contribute more to the development of human society, fight against global climate change, environment protection and other common challenges for mankind.

Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese delegation has submitted a working paper on nuclear issues, 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.