A top nuclear industry executive has made a statement reassuring citizens that China's nuclear power plants boast a high degree of security.

"Leak will not occur in China's nuclear power plants, whether currently operating or under construction--even if they are hit by airplanes," said Wang Shoujun, chairman of China National Nuclear Corporation, on March 8.

Aside from natural disasters such as earthquakes, another potential risk for nuclear plants is impact from airplanes. Nuclear power plants designed in the past could withstand the impact of small planes. China’s third-generation nuclear plants, however, designed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, are able to withstand the impact of commercial aircraft, according to Wang.

At the ongoing Two Sessions, Wang, a member of China’s top political advisory body CPPCC, proposed creating a national Nuclear Science Day to promote knowledge of nuclear technology among the Chinese people.