China will carefully study the new U.S.- Russian initiative to combat the nuclear terrorism, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday.

"We welcome all efforts helpful to deepen international cooperation and enhance the coordinated drive to deal with nuclear terror," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao when asked to comment on the new Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.

The initiative was announced by the presidents of the United States and Russia in St. Petersburg on July 15. It called on countries to improve accounting, control and physical protection of nuclear material and radioactive substances as well as the security of nuclear facilities, and prevent acts of nuclear terrorism.

"Preventing nuclear terrorism is one of the most serious challenges the international community faces in protecting world peace and security," Liu said.

The spokesman said China would carefully study the U.S.- Russian initiative.

Source: Xinhua