Ukraine is willing to enhance cooperation with China in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevention of nuclear disasters, said a senior Ukrainian official in Beijing Wednesday.

 

Igor Ostash, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Ukrainian parliament, made the remarks at a press conference held by the Ukrainian embassy in Beijing to mark the 20th anniversary of the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in Ukraine.

 

China has smoothly developed its nuclear energy in recent years, Ostash said, adding the country has done a great job in the manufacturing and construction of its nuclear power plants as well as the disposal of nuclear waste.

 

"China still enjoys huge potential in the development of nuclear energy, which provides great opportunity for further cooperation between the two countries," he said.

 

Ukraine has acquired experiences in securely utilizing the nuclear power, treating the nuclear radiation, preventing leakage of nuclear energy and eliminating the nuclear terror, Ostash said. "Such experiences can help the Chinese as well as people of the whole world to peacefully use the nuclear energy," he added.

 

According to Ostash, China has promised to provide Ukraine 10 million yuan (US$1.2 million) worth of assistance in overcoming the consequences of the nuclear catastrophe. "The help of Chinese government's offers is very important to us," he said.

 

The explosion and fire at reactor No. 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on April 26, 1986, contaminated large stretches of territory in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, and sent radiation throughout Europe.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2006)