SCIO briefing on 'Nuclear Safety in China' White Paper
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 5, 2019
Xi Yanchun:
Now, we come to the last question.
China Radio International (CRI):
My questions are as follows. Five years ago, at the third Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, President Xi Jinping suggested that we should follow a rational, coordinated and balanced approach to nuclear safety, and he called for the building of a global nuclear security architecture featuring fairness and win-win cooperation. So, what are our follow-up initiatives and what's the latest progress? Thank you.
Liu Hua:
Thank you. In The Hague, President Xi Jinping put forward the vision for building a community of a shared future on nuclear safety, and proposed China's nuclear safety strategy. It should be said that we have made remarkable progress on our work on nuclear safety in recent years.
On the one hand, we are constantly improving the national nuclear safety system.
First, in terms of top-level planning, as I said just now, nuclear safety is part of China's overall national security framework and is written into the National Security Law. We have enacted the Nuclear Safety Law, made medium- and long-term development plans for nuclear safety, and kept the nuclear safety coordination mechanism, which is composed of various departments running effectively. All this is about top-level planning.
Second, in terms of the legal framework, the new Nuclear Safety Law has been implemented since 2018. In accordance with the latest international standards, we have revised and improved relevant Chinese laws, regulations and standards on nuclear safety, and established a legal framework of a strict and high standard on national nuclear safety.
Third, in terms of the system of responsibility, we have created clear lines of responsibility for enterprises. They in turn have launched various activities to ensure the safe operation of nuclear power and strengthened their management in this regard. Enterprises are also required to improve nuclear safety, think about worst-case scenarios, improve their emergency response and make various emergency plans.
Fourth, in terms of the building of nuclear safety capacity, we have enhanced both enterprises' research and development (R&D) in nuclear safety technology and the government's regulation and R&D in this regard. For some important nuclear safety research and development projects, the state organizes joint scientific and technological research.
Fifth, we are working to foster a culture of nuclear safety.
On the other hand, China actively promotes international cooperation on nuclear safety and the establishment of an international system of cooperation on nuclear safety.
First, China has actively acceded to international legal instruments on nuclear safety and fulfilled its due obligations. Over the past years, China has successively acceded to all the international conventions on nuclear safety of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations, including the Convention on Nuclear Safety, the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. China has fulfilled and acceded to these international conventions and fulfilled its obligations under these conventions.
Second, China gives strong support to the work of the IAEA and upholds the role of the IAEA under the multilateral system. China has provided all-round support to the IAEA, including continuous contributions to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund. Currently, China is the second largest contributor to the United Nations membership dues and the second largest contributor to the IAEA membership dues. China will continue to contribute to the Nuclear Safety Fund to support nuclear safety capacity-building in Asia and promote the simultaneous improvement of nuclear safety in all other countries.
Third, China actively participates in international exchanges and cooperation. China maintains close contact with the United States, France, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Canada as well as the emerging nuclear energy countries along the Belt and Road. China has signed more than 50 cooperation agreements on nuclear safety to increase communication between experts, technological cooperation, and high-level visits. China has also taken part in the Multinational Design Evaluation Program for nuclear power plants, promoted the establishment of a working group on the Hualong-1, and conducted joint international reviews. Through its National Research and Development Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety Regulation and State Nuclear Security Technology Center, China provides the platforms for developing countries to carry out training and exchange activities related to nuclear safety, raises the safety standard and capacity of all countries, and shares its security experience with other nations. It should be said that through these efforts, we have promoted a comprehensive and continuous upgrading of global nuclear safety standards. That's my answer. Thank you.
Xi Yanchun:
Again, thanks to the two speakers, and thanks to you all. Today's briefing concludes here.
Translated and edited by Chen Xia, Zhu Bochen, Wang Yiming, Wu Jin, Zhang Rui, Zhang Junmian, Liu Qiang, Li Jingrong, Li Huiru, Huang Shan, Yuan Fang, Fan Junmei, Wang Yanfang, Kenneth Teh Chiu Soong, Geoffrey Murray.
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