BEIJING, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has praised China's efforts and progress in stepping up nuclear security and contributing to global governance of nuclear security.
The IAEA made the comments after completing its first nuclear security assessment of China, at the request of the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA). The ten-day assessment concluded Friday.
The IAEA said in its report that China had adopted forceful measures to build a nuclear security supervision team and nurture nuclear security talent, and played an active role in supporting regional and international nuclear security cooperation.
Muhammad Khaliq, head of the IAEA's Nuclear Security of Materials and Facilities Section, said China's example in applying IAEA nuclear security guidance and using IAEA advisory services demonstrated its strong commitment to nuclear security at home and abroad.
The report suggested China improve its nuclear security laws and regulations and speed up legislation process as soon as possible to consolidate the legal foundation of nuclear security work.
It also said China's nuclear development posed challenges to its nuclear security as nuclear energy and supporting facilities would develop quickly.
"A strong commitment to nuclear security is a must for any state that uses nuclear power for electricity generation and that is planning to significantly expand this capacity by constructing new power reactors," Khaliq said.
During the assessment, a team of experts reviewed China's laws and regulations on nuclear security, talked with representatives from government bodies including the CAEA and visited the Fangjiashan Nuclear Power Plant at Qinshan Nuclear Power Base in Zhejiang Province, eastern China.
As the central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field, the IAEA works to ensure safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology.
