IAEA, China Sign Stronger Nuclear Security Deal
Building on their 2007 arrangement signed ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, this document continues their cooperation and pledges them to work together on nuclear security in East Asia.
The International Atomic Energy Agency and the China Atomic Energy Authority signed a new cooperation agreement Aug. 16 in Beijing, continuing their partnership and pledging both to work on nuclear security issues in East Asia. This builds on their June 2007 arrangement signed in advance of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano and CAEA Chairman Chen Qiufa signed the latest agreement, titled Practical Arrangements on Nuclear Security. The 2007 agreement, announced in June of that year along with a second IAEA agreement with Qatar, called for IAEA to:
- Advise the two member states on physical protection measures for nuclear facilities.
- Help to provide equipment for preventing and detecting criminal acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material.
- Provide information related to illicit trafficking and other unauthorized activities.
The 2007 arrangements allowed IAEA to provide nuclear security consultation, advisory missions, training, and assistance in response to nuclear or radiological security incidents if requested. IAEA helped Greece set up a nuclear security plan for the Athens Olympic Games and also worked with Brazil on security for the 15th Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro in July 2007.