The 3rd Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) was held in The Hague from March 24 to 25, 2014, with the participation of leaders from more than 50 countries and international organizations. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte presided over the summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping was invited to deliver a keynote opening speech.

President Xi's presence at the NSS bears testimony to China's commitment to its new security role and enhanced universal security. It is also a manifestation of the importance the Chinese government attaches to nuclear security and international security as a whole.

China needs to raise its nuclear security profile. On the one hand, with its growing national power and international influence, China's position and attitude on major international issues including nuclear security is of worldwide interest. More and more countries want to know China's policies. On the other hand, China is exploring the path of major-power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and will be more actively involved in dealing with international issues, and guiding the international agenda.

China has maintained a good record of nuclear security in the past fifty years and more, and is working constantly to improve its legal framework. The country is in the process of drafting national regulations with a view to putting nuclear security on an institutional and legal footing.

China has actively promoted international cooperation on nuclear security. China has joined many influential non-proliferation regimes, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Zangger Committee, and the Nuclear Suppliers Group. China signed the safeguards agreement with the IAEA in 1988, and was the first among the five nuclear powers to ratify the additional protocol to the safeguards agreement.

All of the above demonstrates China's positive attitude to the rest of the world, and is conductive to promoting international cooperation to improve the global security of nuclear materials and nuclear facilities, enhance the rational development and utilization of nuclear energy, and ultimately have a positive impact on the global nuclear security order, its systems, and its mechanisms.

The basic concept of China's approach to nuclear security includes: placing equal emphasis on development and security, and developing nuclear energy on the premise of security; placing equal emphasis on rights and obligations, and pushing forward the international nuclear security process on the basis of respecting the rights and interests of all countries; placing equal emphasis on independent and collaborative efforts, and seeking universal nuclear security through win-win cooperation; placing equal emphasis on treating symptoms and addressing causes, and advancing the nuclear security effort in all respects with the goal of removing the associated risks at their roots.

China's approach to nuclear security has prominent Chinese characteristics.

Firstly, it is comprehensive, addressing how to understand and how to deal with nuclear security issues. Secondly, it is fair. China stresses its commitment to placing equal emphasis on development and security, and on rights and obligations. China does not act out of self-interest, and applies no double standards. Thirdly, it is effective. China advances nuclear security in all respects with the goal of removing the associated risks at their roots. Finally, it is cooperative. China's hope is that more countries will join the international nuclear security process, to strengthen exchanges and collaboration.

Chinese leaders took the opportunity to elaborate the country's approach to nuclear security at the NSS, reflecting the fact that China attached great importance to the summit. China hopes that the international community will always remain committed to safeguarding nuclear security, while developing nuclear energy and sharing the benefits of peaceful use of nuclear energy, thereby achieving security and sustainable development for countries across the world.

The article is edited and translated from《世界需要核安全新体系》, source: People's Daily Overseas Edition, author: Su Xiaohui (Deputy Director of the Department of International and Strategic Studies at the China Institute of International Studies)