VIENNA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The UN International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) should provide a strengthened service to member states to promote the
peaceful use of nuclear energy, a senior Chinese official said Monday
All countries should enjoy the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy
under the prerequisite of compliance with the obligation of nonproliferation,
Chen Qiufa, director of China Atomic Energy Authority, said at the 52nd General
Conference of the IAEA in Vienna.
The IAEA should make full use of its professional advantage to provide
substantial assistance to member states in the establishment of infrastructure
for nuclear power and nuclear technology application, so as to accelerate the
expansion of peaceful use of nuclear energy, he said.
"The Agency has the obligation and capability through the technical
cooperation and assistance to provide necessary help to developing countries,"
he said.
In order to proper respond to all the challenges concerning world nuclear
development, the IAEA should assist member states in "strengthening development
of nuclear safety and standard systems" and "establishing sound and effective
nuclear security systems," he said.
The IAEA should also "promote exchanges among member states on nuclear
safety related knowledge, culture and experiences, encourage international
cooperation in the field of nuclear security, and help member states establish
and improve nuclear security system," he said.
Chen also pointed out that the UN nuclear watchdog should "continue to
enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the safeguards regime," and deal
with verification issues "fairly, objectively and in a balanced manner," and the
"allocation of resources should be optimized with more focus on weak points of
non-proliferation."
Chen noted that the IAEA "has made important progress in a broad range of
activities" over the past year. He also expressed "the most sincere gratitude"
on behalf of the Chinese government to the IAEA for its assistance during
China's earthquake relief work as well as during the Olympics and Paralympics.
