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

 

Zhang said China has consistently opposed all forms of terrorism, and fully supports 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, at the G8 summit in July. It aims to provide guidelines for tracking nuclear substances, ensuring the safety of nuclear facilities, and combating trafficking that could deliver nuclear materials into the wrong hands. 

 

While reiterating China's full support to the initiative, Zhang stressed that all related measures should be conducted under the basis of voluntary participation and in accordance with international laws, adding that this is beneficial to the initiative's success.

 

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) joining 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 from its former position as observer, in the first expansion of the initiative's membership. Other participating countries include Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Australia and Germany.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2006)