At the just concluded Third Nuclear Security Summit held in The Hague, from March 24 to 25, 2014, the Chinese President Xi Jinping elaborated on China's approach on nuclear security and called for global cooperation for lasting security and the development of nuclear energy. He said that the international community should place "equal emphasis" on development of nuclear energy and security, giving the same attention to the rights and obligations of member countries. These ideas, together with China's willingness and ability to actively cooperate with the international community, have put the nuclear security issue on a sustainable track with proper mechanisms.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (4th L, front) poses for a group photo during the third Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, the Netherlands, March 25, 2014. [Xinhua]

China wants to ensure nuclear security while safeguarding the equal rights of all countries to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and to deal with nuclear terrorism with international nuclear security system. To ensure nuclear security here means we should protect nuclear materials, radioactive materials and nuclear facilities against nuclear terrorism. Xi talked in his speech about the relations between development and security, rights and obligations, independent and collaborative efforts, and treating symptoms and addressing causes, which make up China's complete nuclear security concept.

The question of how to balance these four pairs of relations is frequently confronted by nuclear nations in dealing with nuclear energy development and security. The international community needs to properly handle these four pairs of relations in the face of nuclear terrorism. Systematical and intact, comprehensive and balanced, China's approach on nuclear security is acceptable to other countries. The international community should unswervingly safeguard nuclear security while developing nuclear energy, and share the benefit in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, thus realize security and sustainable development for countries across the world.

President Xi Jinping also expressed China's willingness to work on nuclear security. He said that China would stay firmly committed to strengthening its own nuclear security capability, participating in the building of an international nuclear security system, sharing technology and experience and joining the international community to uproot the causes of nuclear terrorism and nuclear proliferation. These four aspects reflect China's understanding of its responsibilities and duties, which constitute an important cornerstone of a new global nuclear security system.