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RFA: Safety of China’s Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants Is Questioned

Radio Free Asia reported that China claims that its new round of nuclear power construction will use domestic technology. On Thursday, January 31, the authorities approved the construction of four nuclear power plants in Huizhou, Guangdong and Zhangzhou, Fujian.They are expected to use the “Hualong No. 1” technology, which is known as independent research and development. However, some experts have questioned whether this so-called domestic technology was actually derived from a bankrupt U.S. company.

The Hong Kong Public Professionals Alliance has been following the safety of nuclear power plants in mainland China. Its policy spokesman, Li Guangde, told RFA that, although China claims to have independently developed the “Hualong No. 1” technology, in fact, Westinghouse Electric AP1000 technology developed its prototype before it filed for bankruptcy. Although the China Nuclear Safety administration approved these technologies, there has never been a disclosure of the technical documents and there has been no public participation in the approval process. According to Li, China is well aware that, in its future energy strategy, the focus is on renewable energy, including solar energy and hydropower. China already has this type of infrastructure, which is not fully used. The nuclear power industry could represent a big interest group, Li said, the battle between renewable energy and nuclear power will continue.

Source: Radio Free Asia, February 1, 2019
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/huanjing/gf1-02012019100816.html