CGN engineers introduce technology applied in China's “Hualong One” reactor to officials from the Sudanese Ministry of Water Resources and Electricity. (Photo: Xinhua)

China’s nuclear energy industry has made many technological advances since the establishment of its first research facility over six decades ago. Analysts say that thanks to the country’s excellent nuclear security record, Chinese nuclear power enterprises have broken into the global market.

According to Fan Jishe, a senior researcher with the Institute of American Studies of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China is building more nuclear facilities than any other country in the world. Most are located on the coast across eight provinces, including Liaoning, Jiangsu, Guangdong and Hainan.

Besides leading in numbers, safety and reliability of nuclear power are top priorities for China. After the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear incident in 2011, the State Council, China’s cabinet, ordered a complete safety check on nuclear power plants and facilities across the country.

The inspection, lasting nine months, concluded that the safety of nuclear plants in China is guaranteed and the quality of ongoing projects is under control, according to the report submitted by National Nuclear Safety Administration, National Energy Administration and China Earthquake Administration.

Moreover, the Information Office of the State Council released China's Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, the country’s first white paper on nuclear security this January.

Yao Bin, an official with the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, pointed out that China has not encountered a nuclear incident above level II in 30 years.

“China will continue to shoulder the international responsibility of peaceful application of nuclear energy out of the dual need of global status and public safety,” Yao added.

The reason that China develops nuclear energy lies in its seeking of clean energy and its effort in dealing with climate change, said Fan, adding that China is ready to promote its nuclear technology and help other countries to obtain safe and clean energy. 

Neil Renwick, an expert in global energy safety and professor of UK-based Coventry University, told People’s Daily that China has made significant achievements in nuclear power development.

Many Chinese nuclear power enterprises have set up branches overseas and spread safe technology to the world, said Renwick.

China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN), a major energy corporation of China, will partner with Paris-headquartered Électricité de France (EDF) to invest over 18 billion pounds in the Hinkley Point C, a British nuclear power plant. The EU has approved the project.

The CGN will also partner with Romania to develop Unit 3 and Unit 4 at the Cernavoda Power Plant. At the same time, it is considering to build a nuclear station in South Africa. Thanks to the “Go Global” strategy, Chinese nuclear power companies have initiated projects in several countries such as Argentina, Armenia, Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Turkey, the UK, Pakistan and South Africa.

In addition to technology and equipment, they also offer countries personnel, finance and safety support.

Regarding security as the lifeline for the sustainable development of nuclear energy, China vows to further contribute to global nuclear security governance while securing its own safety. 

(Wu Qiong contributed to this story)