According to a report on the website of the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations on October 23, Sun Lei, Deputy Representative of China to the United Nations, spoke during the General Assembly’s consideration of the ‘Annual Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency’.
Chairman
The Chinese side expresses gratitude to Director General Groth for his briefing. Over the past year, under the leadership of the Director General, the International Atomic Energy Agency has been committed to the principle of using atomic energy for peace and development. The Agency has continuously advanced work in various areas such as safeguards, nuclear safety and security, international nuclear energy cooperation, and sustainable development. Positive progress has been made in maintaining international nuclear safety and non-proliferation systems, promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and supporting sustainable development. The Chinese side affirms the work of the Director General and the Agency's secretariat.
Currently, the global nuclear energy industry is developing steadily. Nuclear energy and its applications are of great significance in addressing climate change, facilitating energy transformation, and promoting safe governance. At the same time, challenges related to nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear safety remain severe. Politicization and unreasonable restrictions in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy still exist. The International Atomic Energy Agency should maintain its objective, impartial, and independent technical nature, promote consensus-building, dialogue, and cooperation, and focus on the following tasks:
First, we need to increase support for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Institutions should work together with all parties to resist unilateralism and protectionist practices, safeguard the legitimate rights of member states to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and continue to provide assistance to member states, especially developing countries, in the development and utilization of nuclear energy and technology. China has submitted a draft resolution titled “Promoting Peaceful Cooperation in the Field of International Security” to the First Committee of the United Nations this year. It reaffirms the international consensus on non-proliferation and calls for the maintenance of the right of all countries, especially developing countries, to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. China hopes that all parties will actively support this initiative.
Secondly, it is necessary to promote the political and diplomatic resolution of sensitive issues. The International Atomic Energy Agency should maintain an objective and fair stance, carry out its duties strictly in accordance with its mandate, and provide assistance to all parties involved in moving towards a common approach and resuming dialogue and negotiations. The Iranian nuclear issue must be resolved through diplomatic means; resorting to military force or sanctions is only likely to exacerbate tensions. As a non-nuclear state party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Iran should fulfill its commitment to not develop nuclear weapons, and its legitimate right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes should be respected. Resolution 2231 of the Security Council has expired, and both the Security Council and the Agency should cease consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue. The Director General should also stop submitting related reports.
Third, strengthen the construction of institutional safeguards and monitoring systems. The cooperation among the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia in nuclear submarines violates the purposes and objectives of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, posing a serious risk of nuclear proliferation. This poses a significant challenge to the Treaty and its institutional safeguards and monitoring systems. The international community has fully recognized the complexity and sensitivity of these issues. It is necessary to seek mutually acceptable solutions through open, transparent, inclusive, and sustainable intergovernmental processes, based on equality and mutual respect.
Chairperson,
China attaches great importance to and supports the important role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in global nuclear energy management and development. China is committed to promoting cooperation with the agency, facilitating the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and maintaining the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. China is willing to work together with the Agency and other member states to implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. Together, we will create a just, reasonable, and inclusive global nuclear governance system, making greater contributions to the promotion of the peaceful use of atomic energy.
Thank you, chairman.
