IAEA finishes first assessment of China's nuclear security

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has spoken highly of China’s consistent efforts to promote nuclear security and fully recognized the contributions it has made to global nuclear security governance, said China Atomic Energy Authority on Tuesday.

The IAEA made the remarks after a 10-day assessment of China’s nuclear security, which concluded on Friday.

This is China’s first time to get the IAEA assessment, and also a measure to fulfill its commitment made at the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague when Chinese President Xi Jinping announced to invite IAEA to conduct the assessment of China.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has finished its first assessment of China's nuclear security. /CCTV Photo

The IAEA also praised China’s role in constructing the governance system of nuclear security, educating and nurturing nuclear security personnel and supporting the regional and international cooperation on nuclear security.

China has released its development plan for nuclear energy and industry, which will both lead to a rapid development and pose challenges to the system and management of nuclear security, the assessment team pointed out.

It suggested that China improve its nuclear security laws and regulations, speed up the legislation process and lay a solid legal foundation, which coincides with the focuses of this year’s nuclear security work of China.

"A strong commitment to nuclear security is a must for any state that uses nuclear power for electricity generation and that is planning to significantly expand this capacity by constructing new power reactors," Muhammad Khaliq, head of the IAEA's Nuclear Security of Materials and Facilities Section, told Xinhua News Agency.

China has a sound foundation of nuclear security after decades’ development, said Deng Ge, director of the State Nuclear Security Technology Center. It has further enhanced its construction of laws and regulations. The draft law of atomic energy and regulations of nuclear regulation have been submitted to the State Council, and are now under the procedure for approval.