The Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Office at Vienna, Hu Xiaodi gave speech in the Board Meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held in Vienna on Monday, expounding the Chinese government's position on nuclear safety issues.

"Nuclear safety is the primary indemnity for sustainable development of nuclear energy and nuclear technology", he said, adding in the context of the global revival of nuclear power and increasing nuclear technology application, it was particularly important to "ensure nuclear safety."

He stressed that China was actively developing the nuclear power, but it also paid great attention to nuclear safety.

In the construction and operation of nuclear power, the Chinese government always adhered to the principle of "safety first, quality first," in order to "ensure the development of China's nuclear power in safe and orderly manner", he said.

China is also ready in this regard to enhance cooperation with IAEA and its member states, Hu added.

On the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste, he pointed out that the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management was an important legal document to promote and strengthen the spent fuel and radioactive waste management, as well as to ensure a safe, reliable, and healthy development of the nuclear energy.

China had been attaching great importance to it and would continue to strictly fulfill the obligation in the Convention, he said.

Hu also pointed out that China would continue to support and actively participates in the IAEA in the field of nuclear safety and other activities, be willing to exchange and cooperate with the Agency and all its member countries in related areas to improve global nuclear safety.

(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2009)