Roundup: Xi's speech at nuclear security summit well-received in int'l community
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E-mail Xinhua, March 27, 2014
Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the latest third Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) has been warmly welcomed in the international community.
Addressing the event, Xi elaborated on China's approach on nuclear security and called for global cooperation to achieve lasting security and development of nuclear energy.
Piet de Klerk, chief negotiator of the summit, told Xinhua Wednesday that China has played a "very constructive" role at the summit.
"On many nuclear security issues the Netherlands share the views expressed by the Chinese president," he said. "It is important that nuclear security is put on a sustainable track with proper mechanisms."
"We also share his thoughts on the strengthened role of the IAEA and other multilateral institutions... President Xi's plea that all countries should work together to prevent and combat nuclear terrorism is very welcome," Klerk said.
According to Sico van der Meer, a researcher with the Dutch national think tank Clingendael Institute, two issues regarding nuclear security in Xi's speech are very important.
"First of all, he urged for a fair, cooperative and win-win international nuclear security system," he said. "Xi also emphasized that nuclear security is not a national issue for any country... The impact of nuclear incidents will almost for sure affect more countries at the same time, so only when all countries deal well with this threat, the risks involved can be really diminished."
"International cooperation is thus a core element of enhancing nuclear security, as the president said very well," he said.
The Chinese leader urged in his speech more countries to ratify the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), which fit the global anticipation and will help make "this Amendment came enter into force," said Peter Bode, an associate professor of nuclear science and engineering at the Dutch Delft University of Technology.
"The Chinese president emphasized that a safeguards regime is a precondition," Bode said. "Preventing and combating nuclear terrorism will gain from the success of the NSS 2014, and especially the commitments of the world leaders, such as the Chinese president."
"President Xi's remark is important and encouraging," said Lassina Zerbo, executive director of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
China's influence "in the direction of nonproliferation, in the direction that helps nuclear security, in the direction that helps the global security of the world, is important."
"I hope this nuclear security summit be a framework that would help the international community to anticipate the possible nuclear security problems and settle them in a better way," said the chief of the Vienna-based international nuclear watchdog.
"President Xi's statement, focused on enhancing the international nuclear security system through exchanging expertise and information, is balanced and objective," said Walid Zidan, a supervisor at Egypt's Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA).
It reflected China's principle and stance on the international nuclear security, said the Cairo-based expert, who is currently attending the summit.
He added that China, always being a responsible nuclear power, faithful observant of the nonproliferation treaty and advocator of global nuclear disarmament, will play an important role in constructing the future nuclear security mechanism of the world.
Lt. Gen. Ramesh Chopra, a strategic analyst of the Indian Army, said he supports the Chinese leader's position on nuclear security, which reflects China's emphasis on this issue and its lasting commitment to the international cooperation against terrorism.
"China is a big nuclear power and owns nuclear reactors, so its stand and consciousness on nuclear safety have key values of reference for other countries," he said. "If all countries are like China in emphasizing and implementing nuclear safety standards, a very good atmosphere of nuclear security in the world can be created."
What impressed Bambang Suryono, a senior Indonesian political analyst, is that Xi argued the world should place "equal emphasis" on nuclear development and security, and develop nuclear energy on the premise of security.
"China has kept an amazing record on nuclear security since it decided to develop the energy over 50 years ago," Suryono said.
"The world should improve nuclear development technology, rather than giving up this energy," he said. "The more development we achieve, the more focus we should place on security."
In contrast to the West's long-held "double standards" on nuclear security, President Xi called for a fair, cooperative and win-win system of global nuclear security, said Qasim Mustafa, an analyst with Pakistan's Islamabad Institute of Strategic Studies.
"Xi's statement talks about the equal dealing with all countries. It is very positive outcome from Chinese side that they are willing to cooperate on regional and international basis for the security of nuclear on non-discriminatory approach," the expert said.
"As you know, China has been promoting and advocating for 'equality' in relations with all the countries, now they brought it into the nuclear safety cooperation," he said.
"Xi asked all the members, especially the major players to follow sensible, coordinated and balanced approach towards the nuclear security by taking it on the road of sound and sustainable development," he said.
"The security and safety of nuclear materials and nuclear installments is the main concern of all the countries and Chinese president's statement is the real representative of all the states on the globe."
Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, said that China's conduct at the summit is in accordance with its nuclear power status.
"This year's summit emphasized the collaboration of major countries in monitoring and controlling nuclear risks, and to some extent could be seen as a return of international security focus to conventional threats," he added. Endi
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