Plan adopted to boost nuclear security

The State Council, or China's cabinet, on Thursday deliberated and preliminarily passed a five-year plan on nuclear security and radioactive contaminant treatment.

A long-term goal set for 2020 concerning the issue was also adopted at an executive meeting of the State Council presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao.

According to the plan and the goal, China will adhere to a policy of "safety and quality first" and a basic principle of "prevention priority" for its strategy on the area.

China should raise the security levels of nuclear facilities and equipment for utilizing nuclear technologies while reducing security risks surrounding them, according to general objectives set in the plan and goal.

Capacities for preventing nuclear accidents, treating contaminants and responding to emergencies should be well developed so as to ensure people's health as well as the security of nuclear materials and the environment.

China should maintain and boost its level of nuclear security in the world, and continue to keep a sound radioactive environment by improving the prevention and control of radioactive contaminants, indicates the plan.