Hu arrives in Seoul for Nuclear Security
Updated: 2012-03-25 19:00
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||
SEOUL- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Seoul Sunday for a summit aimed at strengthening international cooperation on nuclear security. At the two-day Nuclear Security Summit which will begin on Monday, leaders from over 50 nations and international organizations are expected to review achievements scored since the Washington summit in 2010.
They will discuss cooperative measures to combat the threat of nuclear terrorism, protect nuclear materials and related facilities, and prevent illicit trafficking of nuclear materials, according to the host South Korea.
The leaders will also exchange views on strengthening nuclear safety, which has become the focus of renewed attention following the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan last year.
Chinese diplomats said President Hu will deliver a speech at the summit to elaborate China's position, efforts and important measures regarding nuclear security.
"As a huge country for nuclear energy development, China has always attached great importance to nuclear security and actively participated in international cooperation on nuclear security," Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu told a press briefing on March 20.
Ma said that China hopes the Seoul summit will improve international consensus, promote international cooperation on nuclear security, enhance global nuclear material and nuclear facilities security, and promote the sustainable development of nuclear energy.
He also expressed China's willingness to actively participate in the discussion of the communique of the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, which will be the outcome document from the summit.
"The communique will clearly manifest the consensus and resolution of the leaders to enhance international cooperation on nuclear security," he said.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), from 1993 to 2011, more than 2,100 incidents of nuclear and radioactive materials were confirmed, of which about 400 incidents involved unauthorized possession, movement or attempts to illegally trade or use nuclear and radioactive materials.
Khammar Mrabit, director of the IAEA's Office of Nuclear Security, said at a press briefing last week that more needs to be done to improve the safety of nuclear and radioactive materials worldwide.
"Nuclear and other radioactive materials are still not properly secured. We have roughly around 200 incidents per year," he said, adding that "continuous improvement is a must. Complacency is bad."
The Seoul summit is a follow-up of the first summit in Washington in April 2010, at which leaders from 47 states and three international organizations discussed plans to strengthen nuclear security by preventing the misuse of nuclear materials by non-state actors.
President Hu attended the Washington summit and delivered a speech entitled "Join hands to meet nuclear security challenges and promote peace and development."
On the sidelines of the Seoul summit, Hu is expected to meet some other leaders to discuss bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern.
Hu will also travel to New Delhi for a meeting of the BRICS, which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
After that, the Chinese leader will pay a state visit to Cambodia.
- Relief reaches isolated village
- Rainfall poses new threats to quake-hit region
- Funerals begin for Boston bombing victims
- Quake takeaway from China's Air Force
- Obama celebrates young inventors at science fair
- Earth Day marked around the world
- Volunteer team helping students find sense of normalcy
- Ethnic groups quick to join rescue efforts
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Supplies pour into isolated villages |
All-out efforts to save lives |
American abroad |
Industry savior: Big boys' toys |
New commissioner
|
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Today's Top News
Health new priority for quake zone
Xi meets US top military officer
Japan's boats driven out of Diaoyu
China mulls online shopping legislation
Bird flu death toll rises to 22
Putin appoints new ambassador to China
Japanese ships blocked from Diaoyu Islands
Inspired by Guan, more Chinese pick up golf
US Weekly
Beyond Yao
|
Money power |