Chinese FM meets IAEA chief in Beijing
Beijing, The Gulf Observer: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Tuesday met Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Beijing, urging the UN nuclear watchdog to perform its duties in an objective, fair and professional manner.
Qin voiced the hope that the IAEA can properly handle the nuclear submarine cooperation between the United States, the UK and Australia as well as the Japan’s nuclear-contaminated water disposal issue.
He also called on the IAEA to resolutely resist actions stretching national security and interfering with and undermining the normal order of international cooperation.
China follows a self-defensive nuclear strategy and is firmly committed to safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation system with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as its cornerstone, Qin said.
China firmly supports the cause of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Qin said, adding that the country is committed to strengthening own nuclear security and supports international cooperation on nuclear security.
Qin told Grossi that China’s cooperation with the IAEA enjoys solid foundation and brighter prospects, stressing China supports the agency to play a greater role in global governance in the nuclear field and make new contributions to reform and improve the global nuclear governance system and promote world peace and security.
Grossi said the IAEA appreciates China’s achievements in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and attaches great importance to cooperation with China.
The IAEA takes China’s concern on the Taiwan question seriously, he said.
Noting the agency is willing to deepen cooperation with China, the IAEA chief said the IAEA is committed to preventing nuclear proliferation, respecting member states’ decisions, and will remain neutral and conduct relevant consultations on U.S.-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation in a transparent manner.
He made it clear that the IAEA will not endorse any country’s decision of dumping nuclear-contaminated water into the sea and will not agree to any activities that violate international safety standards.
