China announced Monday that it will make an extra-budgetary contribution of one million US dollars to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) again to support the agency's technical cooperation programs designed for developing countries and the endeavor of strengthening nuclear security.

The announcement was made by Zhang Huazhu, head of the Chinese delegation to the 48th session of the General Conference of the IAEA, on behalf of the Chinese government.

"By the end of 2003, China has made voluntary contribution of 13 million US dollars, and other contribution in kind to the IAEA," Zhang said.

He said that upon the request of the IAEA, the UN nuclear watchdog, China has also provided to other member countries technological personnel training and expert services over 2,000 person-times, and undertook more than 200 meetings of the agency.

Besides, Zhang said, China is the leading country in nuclear agronomy cooperation, contributing to the development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the Asia-Pacific region.