Photo:Chen Tao/GT

Upon the 40th anniversary of China’s accession to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Sophie Boutaud de la Combe, the agency’s Director of Office of Public Information and Communication, hailed China’s remarkable contribution to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to the building of an eco-friendly energy structure, particularly in helping other countries develop their own nuclear power plants quickly and cost-efficiently.

“China has become a key supporter of the agency through our collaborations, and we have worked together integrating good practices, international standards and peer reviews, especially for safety in the nuclear sector,” Sophie said at a media event during an ongoing trip to China, noting that they are grateful for Chinese expertise in passing its knowledge to other countries as nuclear safety is an ongoing endeavor around the world. 

Last week, China's State Council greenlighted five new nuclear power projects, as the country is revving up nuclear power construction as part of its transition to green and low-carbon energy. The newly approved nuclear power projects include 11 nuclear power units, which will utilize a mix of China's self-developed third- and fourth-generation nuclear technologies, with total investment expected to surpass 240 billion yuan ($33.3 billion).

China currently has 56 operating nuclear units with a total installed capacity of more than 58,000 MWe and 28 units under construction as well as 18 approved ones to be constructed, ranking third globally in total installed capacity and first in capacity under construction, according to the latest official data.

“This is avoiding tons of carbon emissions and air pollution, and it’s creating a conducive environmental and biodiversity-friendly source of energy for the people of China. And abroad，China is helping other countries achieve their own energy goals by building their own industry on nuclear power quickly and safely – this is showing the world that it is possible to build nuclear power plants quickly and cost-efficiently,” the IAEA official said. 

As for promoting nuclear knowledge to the mass, raising public awareness and dispelling misunderstandings toward nuclear energy, China is “leading the path on communication.” 

The China Nuclear Energy Science and Technology Museum provides a comprehensive display of the development of China's nuclear power, vividly educating the public about the integrated use of nuclear energy. This plays a positive role in helping the public better understand and accept nuclear power, as well as in recognizing the role of nuclear energy in promoting regional development and improving people's well-being, Sophie said. 

She hopes that in future collaborations with China, good practice cases in the integrated use of nuclear energy and public communication can be promoted to other IAEA member countries, further enhancing international understanding and support for nuclear energy.  

The IAEA highly values its partnership with the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) and looks forward to deepening collaboration and exploring the future directions together, Sophie said. “Together, we can better convey accurate information in the nuclear field and enhance international understanding and support for nuclear energy and improve public awareness. This will drive global technical advancement and knowledge sharing,” she noted.

In June this year, Liu Jing, deputy director of the CAEA, said at an IAEA board of governors meeting that over the past 40 years, China has adhered to the principles of openness, cooperation, and shared development, maintaining close cooperation with the IAEA. This has not only strongly promoted the safety and development of nuclear energy in China but has also made significant contributions to the sustainable development of nuclear energy globally. 

China is willing to work with the agency and all parties to jointly implement the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, promote innovation in nuclear energy technology, advance inclusive and equitable development, and continue expanding open and orderly cooperation, so that the benefits of nuclear energy development can reach more countries.

Pan Jianming, Secretary of the Board of Directors and Spokesperson of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), said on Monday that over the past 40 years, the company has been deeply involved in the cooperation between China and the IAEA in various fields, promoting the vigorous development of China's nuclear energy industry and making contributions to the peaceful use of atomic energy, benefiting all mankind, and building a nuclear energy community with a shared future for mankind.