VIENNA - China develops nuclear energy under a safe precondition, Chinese deputy envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Huang Wei said here Tuesday.

Addressing to the IAEA board of governors meeting which reviewed the development of nuclear technology last year, he said after the Fukushima nuclear accident, the Chinese government had taken a series of measures to enhance nuclear safety and strengthen the work of nuclear energy and nuclear safety management organs.

After taking into consideration the role of nuclear energy in energy security, climate change and economic growth, the Chinese government adopted the policy of "developing nuclear energy high-efficiently under a safe precondition," he said.

He said China now has 15 nuclear units in operation and 26 units in construction. Preliminary results released after comprehensive examinations ended last August showed the safety of these units were guaranteed.

China believed that great importance should be attached to nuclear safety in all construction stages of nuclear power plants. To this end, last October, China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) and the IAEA signed a practical arrangement concerning the safety construction of nuclear power plants, according to Huang.

He also said that, learning a lesson from the Fukushima nuclear accident, China started a research project of safety technology regarding responses to possible over-design-basis accidents.

These efforts are expected to further enhance the capability of nuclear power plants in preventing extreme natural disasters, Huang said.

He also praised the efforts of the IAEA in dealing with the Fukushima nuclear accident. The agency had played a leading role in nuclear safety, he said.