Chinese President Hu Jintao's planned visit, accompanied by a high-level delegation, to the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul shows that China gives weight to the summit, Zhang Xinsen, the Chinese ambassador in Seoul, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The summit, the second of its kind that discusses international cooperative measures to protect nuclear materials and facilities from terrorist groups, will be held on March 26-27 in Seoul with participation of leaders and representatives from 53 countries and four international organizations.

Zhang said the issue of nuclear security, which is related to sustainable development between nuclear energy and the economy, social stability and global peace, has emerged as the focus of global attention.

Currently, circumstances surrounding global nuclear security are complex and diversified, and that no country can deal with the issue individually. Global cooperation and persistent efforts are required to achieve the complete peaceful use of nuclear, which is a common goal for humanity, said Zhang.

The Seoul Nuclear Security Summit takes place in such circumstances, and the international community expects that the summit will play an active role in garnering a shared awareness of the global community, promoting global cooperation and safeguarding global security, Zhang said.

Zhang said the Chinese government has taken the nuclear security very issue seriously and has consistently adopted a responsible attitude by firmly opposing nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. It also has fully bolstered its nuclear security capacity, strictly fulfilled its international responsibility for nuclear security, actively participated in global cooperation on this issue, and helped developing countries as much as possible with regard to implementing nuclear security.

At the 2010 Washington Nuclear Security Summit, Chinese President Hu made five proposals for the international community's joint action against nuclear security threats: carrying out global commitments and responsibilities sincerely; consolidating the existing international legal framework on nuclear security; strengthening international cooperation on nuclear security; helping developing countries enhance their nuclear security capacity; and properly handling the relationship between nuclear security and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Zhang said Hu's proposals won wide support from participating countries as well as the international community. During the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, Hu again plans to reveal China's policy and stance on nuclear security through an important speech.

China has closely communicated with related countries, including South Korea, and will continue to step up mediation and cooperation with South Korea for the successful hosting of the Nuclear Security Summit.

Zhang also said Hu's attendance in the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit would be an important opportunity to promote the development of relations between China and South Korea.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-South Korea diplomatic relations. China-South Korea relations have encountered an important opportunity for development. The two leaders are set to meet again in less than three months after South Korean President Lee Myung-baks' successful visit to China in January, and this will strongly lead to the development of the two countries' ties, Zhang noted.

The Chinese ambassador said he believes the upcoming summit would yield rich fruits thanks to joint efforts by China, South Korea, and other related countries, and expressed his hope for a new and bigger development in strategic cooperative relationship between China and South Korea.

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