International organizations’ official statistics reveal that nine large nuclear reactor units broke ground last year, with China accounting for seven and Russia contributing one. Through advancing nuclear power plant construction, both nations are exporting related technologies and equipment to emerging markets, steadily expanding their global influence.
According to data from the World Nuclear Association and the International Atomic Energy Agency reported by Nikkei Chinese on the 6th, the 2025 figures included seven units in China, one in Russia, and one in South Korea. Since 2016, China and Russia have dominated over ninety percent of the world’s 63 new reactor construction starts. Outside these two countries, only South Korea and the UK have initiated construction on five units during this period.
China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment reports twenty-seven nuclear units currently under construction. Industry associations predict China’s operational nuclear capacity will reach 110 gigawatts by 2030, surpassing the United States. Last April, Chinese authorities approved construction plans for ten reactors across five locations, targeting nuclear power to constitute ten percent of the electricity mix by 2040, up from under five percent in 2024.
Most 2025 reactor starts utilize China’s domestically developed Hualong One design, with six units operating in China and two in Pakistan. China is also developing smaller modular reactors requiring less investment than large-scale facilities. China National Nuclear Corporation reported successful cooling tests in October 2025 for the Linglong One reactor in Hainan Province, generating 125 megawatts and scheduled for operation in 2026.
Russia focuses on exports to emerging markets. Over the past decade, Russian state nuclear enterprise Rosatom constructed nineteen foreign reactors and continues projects in Turkey and Bangladesh. In November 2025, foundational components were installed at Egypt’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1.
By constructing nuclear facilities, both nations strengthen ties with destination countries across design, construction, operation, maintenance, fuel supply, and decommissioning phases—relationships potentially lasting nearly a century. However, international circumstances affect progress; Russia’s Turkish project faces funding difficulties and delays from 2023 due to Ukraine-war-related economic sanctions.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), February 6, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202602060089.aspx