China urges IAEA to ensure global nuclear safety

China on Tuesday urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to further strengthen its leading role in enhancing global nuclear safety and promoting relevant international cooperation. Wang Min, Chinese deputy representative to the United Nations, made the remarks at an open meeting of the 66th session of UN General Assembly on the IAEA report. IAEA shoulders important responsibilities in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy and preventing nuclear proliferation, Wang said, adding that it needs to further summarize experiences and lessons of the Fukushima nuclear accident, assisting member states to enhance nuclear safety and emergency response capabilities. Wang urged the IAEA to "increase technical assistance to developing countries, improve newcomer's national nuclear infrastructure and promote the safe, secure and sustainable development of nuclear energy." The IAEA was also asked to strengthen nuclear safeguards regime, effectively prevent nuclear proliferation, and maintain an objective and impartial stand on sensitive and hot nuclear issues. China has always adhered to the principle of "safety first", he said. "China has established a rather comprehensive legal and standards system on nuclear safety, put in place an independent and effective supervision and regulatory framework, set up a comprehensive emergency response mechanism, and keep a good safety record in general." China has decided to contribute 200,000 U.S. dollars to the Nuclear Security Fund of the IAEA for the purpose of enhancing nuclear security capability of the Asia-Pacific Region, Wang added.