China will carefully study the new US-Russian initiative to combat the nuclear terrorism, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

 

"We welcome all efforts helpful to deepen international cooperation and enhance the coordinated drive to deal with nuclear terror," said ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao when asked to comment on the new "Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism."

 

The initiative was announced by the US and Russian presidents in St. Petersburg on July 15. It called on countries to improve accounting, control and physical protection of nuclear material and radioactive substances as well as the security of nuclear facilities, and prevent acts of nuclear terrorism.

 

"Preventing nuclear terrorism is one of the most serious challenges the international community faces in protecting world peace and security," Liu said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2006)