China is willing to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on civilian nuclear energy with other nations, a senior Chinese official attending a meeting on nuclear energy in Vienna said on Sunday.

The peaceful use of nuclear energy was important to the Chinese government, Chen Deming, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, told the second ministerial conference of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP).

Chen, head of the Chinese delegation, said China has fixed on its policies on route and closed nuclear fuel cycle for the development of nuclear electricity.

He said that as long as nuclear security and non-proliferation were assured, the peaceful use of the nuclear energy could be extended around the world in a safe, economic and reliable way.

With an open and constructive attitude, China is ready to strengthen cooperation on global nuclear energy with other nations.

On the sidelines of the conference, Chen Deming also met Samuel Bodman, the minister of energy department of the US, and exchanged opinion on issues of mutual concern.

The delegates from 16 states, including China, also signed a document on the principles of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) at the conference.

The GNEP, which is sponsored by the US, is aimed at guaranteeing broad access to nuclear technologies and preventing proliferation.

The second ministerial conference of the GNEP was held at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Sunday and was attended by 38 ministers and senior officials from different countries as well as key intergovernmental organizations such as the IAEA and Eurotom.

(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2007)