Seoul talks to focus on nuke safety

Download

Beefing up nuclear security and fighting against nuclear terrorist activities are among the toppriorities of the upcoming Second Nuclear Summit in Seoul, a senior diplomat said on Tuesday.

China will map out measures for beefing up nuclear facilities' security and cracking down on terrorist attempts, China's Assistant Foreign Minister, Ma Zhaoxu, said at a news conference in Beijing to introduce the two-day summit, which will begin on Monday.

"Nuclear proliferation worldwide is on the rise," Ma said, adding that China has provided needed help to other countries in terms of nuclear security.

President Hu Jintao will attend the summit, make major speeches during the two days and hold bilateral meetings with leaders of related countries.

A communique will be released to stress the nuclear security measures, and it is expected that concrete measures and advice will be produced, Ma said.

The Seoul summit, attended by 53 heads of state and chiefs of international organizations, will focus on the security of nuclear material and facilities.

Signs of risk remain as international terrorists and criminal organizations conspire theft, sabotage, unauthorized access involving nuclear material and other radioactive substances and their associated facilities, Ma said.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, around 2,100 cases concerning theft, sabotage and unauthorized access of nuclear materials were reported.

Zhu Xuhui, a researcher with China National Nuclear Corporation, told China Daily that Beijing has implemented its obligations as a responsible member of the international community in recent years.

China has established a nuclear security technology center and is building a new center for nuclear security with the US, Zhu said.

"Beijing's promise to beef up nuclear security did not expire after the Washington summit," he said.

After the summit, Hu will pay a two-day visit to India and attend the fourth annual summit of BRICS leaders in New Delhi, scheduled from March 28 to 29.

Questions:

1. How long will the summit last?

2. How many heads of state and chiefs of international organizations will attend the summit?

3. How many cases were reported according to the International Atomic Energy Agency?

Answers:

1. Two days.

2. 53.

3. 2,100.

About the broadcaster:

Emily Cheng is an editor at China Daily. She was born in Sydney, Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney with a degree in Media, English Literature and Politics. She has worked in the media industry since starting university and this is the third time she has settled abroad - she interned with a magazine in Hong Kong 2007 and studied at the University of Leeds in 2009.