"China will continue to work for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, keep to the policy of no first use of nuclear weapons, remain committed to the international nuclear non-proliferation efforts and support the right of countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy," said Chinese President Hu Jintao in his speech at the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit on March 27. International observers spoke highly of the speech, which is titled Towards Greater Nuclear Security Through Cooperation. They also commented positively on the important role China has played in nuclear security.

Han Chung Hee, a spokesman for the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit Organizing Committee, told People's Daily Overseas Edition on March 27 that President Hu's attendance at the Washington Nuclear Security Summit in 2010 and the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit is evidence that the Chinese Government attaches great importance to nuclear security cooperation and plays a pivotal role in this field. The suggestions Hu made in his speech in Seoul are highly constructive, he said. They will have positive implications for the establishment of a nuclear security cooperation system, he added.

China was the first nuclear-weapon state to make a formal commitment not to be the first to use nuclear weapons, said Sauter Kafelnikov, a nuclear security expert at the Russian Academy of Sciences. China's achievements in protecting nuclear security in the past two years and the Chinese leader's proposals at the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit demonstrate the country's awareness of its role in global nuclear security as well as its responsible stance toward nuclear security, he said.

President Hu's speech showed China has made all-round efforts to ensure nuclear security as it prioritizes safeguard measures and improves education about nuclear security, said Huang Jing, Director of Center on Asia and Globalization at the National University of Singapore. From taking domestic action to engaging in international cooperation, China has presented itself as a major stakeholder in nuclear security, he said.

Huang said Hu's proposals delivered four messages:

— China will continue to develop nuclear energy while enhancing its safety.

— China will take an active part in establishing and standardizing international nuclear security rules. While promoting nuclear security at home, it will offer assistance to other developing countries to live up to its major power status.

— China will conduct international exchanges on nuclear security.

— China will uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. It believes a peaceful approach, rather than a hegemonic one, is the key to eliminating the root causes of nuclear weapon proliferation and nuclear terrorism.

When commenting on President Hu's speech, Tom Sauer, an associate professor specializing in international security and nuclear arms control with the Department of Politics at the University of Antwerp in Belgium, said China has set an example for other nuclear-weapon states. China has distinguished itself among the world's five major nuclear-weapon states by always maintaining a "minimal deterrence." While developing nuclear energy, the Chinese Government has done its best to reduce security risks and other possible negative consequences.

The Arab News website commented on March 27 that President Hu's in-depth and all-encompassing speech served as an unequivocal statement on China's nuclear policy. Among other things, Hu stressed China will honor international obligations for nuclear security and help other countries with nuclear security and nuclear power safety, the website said. These pledges helped foster China's image as a responsible major power on the international stage deeply involved vital global issues, it added.

Al Arabiya TV based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Al Jazeera in Qatar and Nile TV in Egypt also provided timely coverage of President Hu's speech with positive comments. They said China's nuclear policy is reassuring and China's achievements in nuclear technology and efforts to safeguard nuclear security are admirable.

South Korean media gave prominence to President Hu's speech in their reports. KBS World Radio said on March 27 that the Chinese president made an important speech at the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit in which he gave a detailed account of China's nuclear security policy as well as the efforts and measures it has taken.

In a report on March 27, the Associated Press said South Korean, U.S. and Chinese leaders issued a stern warning against nuclear terrorism at the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit. President Hu called on countries to work in concert to eradicate nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism by addressing both root causes and symptoms with a comprehensive approach, it said.