China's Nuclear Industry Boosts Civilian ApplicationChina's nuclear industry is accelerating efforts to shift from military production to civilian application, and is rapidly becoming a major powerhouse in the national economy.The industry is operating under a new system featuring a combination of military and civilian production with the development of nuclear power and a diversified economy, according a senior expert with the China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC). The sector has established a large number of enterprise groups in developed coastal areas such as the east China municipality of Shanghai and the provinces of Guangdong and Zhejiang, as enterprises in the sector have so far developed over 1,500 products for civilian use. The country's nuclear industry has maintained a high growth rate for a number of years in succession, and has in turn contributed to dramatic improvements in the nation's overall economic strength. Products designed for civilian use account for over 80 percent of the total industrial output volume of China's nuclear sector. The development of nuclear energy represents a major factor enabling the industry to introduce strategic adjustments focusing on civilian application, according to the expert. The Qinshan Nuclear Power Station in east China's Zhejiang Province and the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong Province both have exemplary safety records. They have not only alleviated power shortages in east China and Guangdong, but have also supplied substantial quantities of power to Hong Kong. Construction of second and third phase projects at Qinshan, and at the Ling'ao and Lianyungang nuclear power stations also is progressing smoothly. China's nuclear power generating capacity should approach 9.2 million kilowatts by early next century, and the country's industrial structure and technological strength should also be further improved. Shandong, Fujian, and Jiangxi provinces in east China, the island province of Hainan in the south, and Hunan Province in central China all are actively preparing to build their own nuclear power plants. China is expected to achieve significant development in the nuclear power sector in the 21st century. For example, the nation' s nuclear power generating capacity will reach 20 million kw by the year 2010, with the figure expected to rise to 40 million kw and account for five percent of the nation's total power output by 2020 |
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