Wang Qun, China's Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna at the 66th annual IAEA General Conference Photo: Courtesy of Chinese mission to UN in Vienna

The issue of a nuclear submarine deal between the US, UK, and Australia, and inherent risks will officially be reviewed upon China's proposal for the first time at the 66th annual International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference to be held from September 26 to 30 in Vienna, Austria, after IAEA members expressed great concern over the potential danger of nuclear proliferation, the Global Times learnt from the Chinese mission to the UN in Vienna on Wednesday. 

In September 2021, the US, the UK, and Australia announced the establishment of AUKUS, under which the US and the UK will assist Australia in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines. Leaders from the US, UK, and Australia said recently that they have made "significant progress" toward Australia acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine. 

Since November 2021, the meetings of the IAEA Board of Governors, on the basis of China's proposal, have decided to include in its agenda the "Transfer of the nuclear materials in the context of AUKUS and its safeguards in all aspects under the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)" as a stand-alone item.

The Chinese mission to the UN in Vienna warned in an exclusive statement sent to the Global Times on Sunday that the latest move by AUKUS which intends to expedite the making of Australia's nuclear submarine is a blatant defiance of and trampling on the international nuclear non-proliferation system, and is an act of nuclear proliferation under the pretext of "naval nuclear propulsion."

The export of nuclear weapon-grade materials to Australia as a NPT Non-Nuclear-Weapon State by the US and UK as two Nuclear-Weapon states is extremely irresponsible and once again proves that they are practicing a "double standard" on non-proliferation by using it as a tool for geopolitical gamesmanship, spokesperson of Chinese mission to UN told the Global Times in a previous interview.

The IAEA General Conference takes place in September each year at the Vienna International Centre in Austria, bringing together representatives from more than a hundred IAEA member states and international organizations. 

Under the theme "Global Cooperation in the Nuclear Field," a wide range of topics will be discussed by delegates in this week, including the 2021 Annual Report and 2023 budget, strengthening activities related to nuclear science, technology, and applications, strengthening nuclear safety and security activities within the Agency, as well as strengthening and improving Agency safeguards.

Additionally, delegates will discuss nuclear safety, security, and safeguards in Ukraine and the Middle East, particularly Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. After discussions and assessments, the conference will adopt draft resolutions on a number of issues.

Italy's Permanent Representative to the international organizations in Vienna Alessandro Cortese was elected president and Ambassador Wang Qun, China's Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna was elected as one of vice presidents by acclamation.

Global Times