Joint bid to fight global nuclear risk

President Xi expected to highlight common safety interests at gathering in Washington

Beijing is expected to call on the global community to recognize common interests and cooperate in handling emerging nuclear risks, including terror attacks, at a key nuclear security summit, according to observers.

President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Wednesday for the two-day fourth Nuclear Security Summit — which began on Thursday — in a sign of Beijing's commitment to safeguarding radioactive materials worldwide.

However, experts said there are obstacles to achieving the goal of a world free from nuclear weapons.

Islamic State is reported to have taken possession of radioactive materials, including 40 kilograms of uranium in Iraq.

Washington has also condemned Pyongyang for conducting missile tests in March despite UN sanctions against a nuclear test it staged in January.

Li Bin, a professor of nuclear security at Tsinghua University, said, "President Xi might mention seeking common interests among nations in his speech at the summit, such as on preventing nuclear terror attacks and ways of cooperation."

The Foreign Ministry has said Xi is scheduled to address the opening plenary session to expound on Beijing's nuclear security policy.

Xi will also present new measures and achievements by China in this area and put forward proposals on strengthening global nuclear security, it said.

Li said that in recent years China has made concrete contributions to global nuclear security.

Chu Xuhui, a senior consultant at the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, said an agreement is likely to be signed at the summit to establish a global security system to fight nuclear terrorism.

During the third Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague in 2014, Xi put forward a comprehensive view on nuclear security covering the interests of all nations. China has also helped other countries with nuclear security technology.