Editorials

Nuclear summit of action

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-14 08:21

Editor's note: The nuclear security has become a global issue which is threatening the safety of human race. The nuclear summit has cemented international consensus in this regard, but the concerted efforts are also needed.

The Nuclear Security Summit that ended on Tuesday in Washington has helped revive international hope for global nuclear security and added new impetus to efforts toward a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons.

In what was regarded as the largest gathering of world leaders hosted by a United States president since the 1945 conference that founded the United Nations, the 47-nation summit demonstrated a strong political will to secure vulnerable nuclear material and prevent nuclear terrorism.

In his speech delivered at the summit, Chinese President Hu Jintao also comprehensively elaborated China's nuclear policy as well as its stance on strengthening nuclear security and protecting the peaceful use of nuclear energy. As always, China advocated a comprehensive ban on nuclear weapons and their complete destruction.

This is the first time the Chinese leader has addressed the nuclear issue on a multilateral occasion. It speaks volumes for China's growing concern for the issue and its strong commitment to rally international cooperation to meet the challenges in nuclear security.

In recent years, the world has been facing increasing risks from unauthorized access to nuclear material and its illegal transfer. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, cases of nuclear material lost or stolen during 1993 to 2008 reached 1,500, with an increase in smuggling.

Needless to say, it will be disastrous for the human race should a tiny amount of the deadly material fall into the wrong hands. Whether the international community can unite to fight nuclear trafficking and terrorism is of utmost importance to global peace and security. It is heartening to see that the nuclear summit has cemented international consensus in this regard.

More concrete and concerted efforts are needed to guarantee that the political pledges made by world leaders in the summit are eventually translated into action.

(China Daily 04/14/2010 page8)