All nations have equal right over N-energy: China

Arguing that all countries should have equal right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday said that his country was considering setting up a nuclear security "Centre of Excellence" in China.

"We are considering setting up of a nuclear security Centre of Excellence in China through cooperation with relevant countries in order to play a bigger role in regional nuclear security cooperation," Hu said in his remarks at the Nuclear Security Summit.

Leaders of 47 nations are meeting to address the problems of nuclear materials and the threats that rogue nations and terrorist groups pose at the two-day Nuclear Security Summit that has been convened by US President Barack Obama.

Observing that China has adhered to the policy of no-first use of nuclear weapons at any time under any circumstances, Hu asserted that China would unconditionally not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states or nuclear weapon free zone.

"We firmly oppose nuclear weapons proliferation, and strongly support efforts to enhance international nuclear security and the equal right of all countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy," he said and argued that nuclear energy is clean and it must also be safe and secure.

The Chinese President also called for the early entry into force of the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and promote universality of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.

Hu said with non-traditional security issues becoming more prominent, the potential threat of nuclear terrorism cannot be neglected and the risk of nuclear material diversion and illicit trafficking is on the rise.

"It is incumbent upon all countries to properly address the nuclear security challenge, ensure sustained and sound development of nuclear energy, and uphold international security and stability," he said.

"Countries should make good use of existing multilateral and bilateral cooperation mechanisms and channels to share experience in nuclear security and intensify information exchange and law enforcement cooperation," he said.

Hu said the IAEA and developed countries should offer greater economic, technical and human resources assistance to developing countries in order to achieve nuclear security for all.

"And in doing so, they should respect the wishes of developing countries and act in the light of their real needs and existing conditions," he said.