Addressing the first meeting of 12 initial member countries of a new anti-nuclear terror initiative, Zhang Yan, director-general of arms control department at the Foreign Ministry, on Monday in Rabat called for effective measures to prevent and combat nuclear terrorism, which he said has become an urgent task for the international community.

 

Zhang said China has consistently opposed any kind of terrorism, and fully supported international efforts against it.

 

China, the US, Russia and nine other countries held their first meeting in Rabat to begin implementing the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.

 

The initiative was announced by US President George W. Bush and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in July, at the G8 summit. It aims to provide guidelines for keeping track of nuclear substances, ensuring the safety of nuclear facilities, and combating trafficking that could deliver nuclear materials into the hands of terrorists.

 

While reiterating China's full support to the principles and aims of the initiative, Zhang stressed that all related exercises should be conducted under the basis of voluntary participation and in accordance with international laws. Sticking to this is beneficial to the effective implementation of the initiative, he added.

 

Zhang also called for more caution while taking economic and financial measures, in case such measures could harm normal financial activities.

 

Zhang said China welcomed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to join the initiative as an observer. The organization could offer powerful technical support for the implementation of the initiative with its rich experience and advanced technologies about the security of nuclear facilities.

 

The host Morocco joined the 12 original members on Monday in the first expansion of the initiative's membership. It was initially an observer. Other participating countries included Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Australia and Germany.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2006)