China on Monday specified its position on the fight against nuclear terrorism within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Zhang Yan, China's new ambassador to the United Nations in Vienna, at an IAEA board meeting, said China has been calling for the strengthening of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. "China is ready to join with other countries in this effort to move cooperation in this area forward."
"Terrorism is the common enemy of humanity and a cancer in the fabric of civilized modern society ... My government is resolutely opposed to all forms of terrorism, including nuke terrorism."
Zhang stressed that it's all governments' unshirkable responsibility to ensure the safety and security of nuclear material, facilities and other radioactive materials in their own countries.
"They should pay close attention to this matter and take practical and effective measures in light of their own conditions."
With regard to potential nuclear terrorist activities, the Chinese ambassador said governments should take necessary preventive measures together with the world community "based on a realistic assessment of the possible threat."
On the IAEA's role in the protection against nuclear terrorism, Zhang said the focus of the agency should be placed in such aspects as organizing and participating in the development of relevant standards, guidelines and recommendations; providing training, technical advisory services at the request of member states; and cooperation and coordination with other international organizations.
Zhang said the IAEA may provide advisory services and assist members in improving physical protection of nuclear material and facilities and security of radioactive materials, but, given the sensitivity of physical protection of nuke material and facilities, necessary measures are needed to keep sensitive information confidential in the process.
"As the only inter-governmental organization in the nuclear field, there is a lot the IAEA can do to counter nuke terrorism. China supports the agency in playing its due role in and making its contribution to the protection against nuke terrorism in accordance with the views of its members and the decisions of its board and within the framework of the objectives and principles of its statute."
On financing anti-nuclear terror programs, Zhang said China favors "voluntary contributions without indicative targets."
"We believe it's necessary to find resources for the agency to carry out activities in the protection against nuclear terrorism. However, such funding should not affect the core activities of the agency. Particularly, it should not have any negative impact on the technical cooperation plan."
Zhang asked the IAEA to improve cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to expand technical cooperation and assistance to developing countries so as to help them develop their economy.
"Only in this way, will our efforts in protection against nuclear terrorism yield expected results. Only then, will there be real protection, or even eradication of nuclear terrorism."
(People's Daily March 19, 2002)
