Two decades ago, when people mentioned nuclear issue, nuclear war breaking out intentionally or accidentally between or among nuclear powers was the major scenario possible, which was not something unimaginable in the Cold War era. Since the end of Cold War, especially after the terrorist attack in September 11, 2001, when people talk about nuclear, nuclear terrorism becomes the key word. While the threat of nuclear war is decreasing dramatically, the threat of nuclear terrorism is increasing in real terms. It is not only because that terrorist groups have the motivation to create disastrous consequences with nuclear component, but also that there exists enormous stockpile of nuclear materials around the globe and some of those sites storing nuclear materials are poorly secured.

According to the report of the International Panel on Fissile Materials, as of January 2013, the global stockpile of highly enriched uranium (HEU) is estimated to be about 1390 tonnes, and the global stockpile of separated plutonium is about 490 tonnes. This is just nuclear materials, not to mention the much bigger inventory of radioactive sources widely used in many countries. If the terrorists or terrorist groups obtain radioactive or even nuclear materials, no one could exclude the possibility that they could fabricate a rudimental nuclear bomb or a dirty bomb and get it detonated in a populous city. That is exactly a nightmare all countries concerned want to avoid, and that is why more than 50 top leaders gather in Hague early this week to discuss how to strengthen nuclear security the third time, and make any efforts possible to secure the loose nuclear materials.

Strengthening nuclear security is way too important for all countries, and there is no significant difference among all countries. However, how to achieve that goal remains a key question to be answered. Because of climate change and energy security concern, many developing countries revive their interests in civilian use of nuclear energy, then how to make sure that nuclear energy contributes to people's wellbeing without threatening people's security? Most countries, including some countries of proliferation concern, are entitled to the civilian use of nuclear energy, but are they obligated to observe international guidelines, abide by international conventions, UN Security Council resolutions immediately relevant to nuclear security? Essentially speaking, every state has the responsibility to provide for the security of nuclear material and other radioactive material and their associated facilities and activities. Then, does national responsibility in nuclear security make international cooperation over such issue irrelevant? Minimizing the use and reducing the stockpile of nuclear materials, further improving the security of nuclear materials, and strengthening international nuclear security architecture, measures of these kinds certainly help to build a safer world, but are these measures sufficient enough to prevent the dangerous nuclear materials from falling into the wrong hands?

To answer these key questions, President Xi Jinping elaborated China's nuclear security concept in his speech in the Hague Nuclear Security Summit. China argues a balanced approach in strengthening nuclear security, and the four "equal emphasis" in President Xi's speech addressed the above mentioned questions. Equal emphasis of development and security is to develop nuclear energy on a sustainable basis; equal emphasis of rights and obligations is to guarantee every country's rights in civilian use of nuclear energy without sacrificing international security; equal emphasis of independent and collaborative efforts is only because nuclear security is both a state responsibility and a global endeavor; equal emphasis of treating symptoms and addressing causes is to tackle the nuclear security issue in a comprehensive way so that a long lasting security and development could be reassured.