China pushes nuclear growth with safety, innovation: CPPCC member

China

China pushes nuclear growth with safety, innovation: CPPCC member

2026-03-11 06:49 Last Updated At：12:27

China is accelerating its nuclear energy expansion, approving eight or more new units annually as part of a strategy that prioritizes safety, high-quality development and technological innovation, said a member of China's top political advisory body on Monday.

Lu Tiezhong, chairman of the China National Nuclear Corporation and a member of the 14th National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),said the sector's mission goes beyond expansion, stressing safe operations and innovation to unlock greater value for China's energy system.

"Eight units or even more are approved each year at the national level, and this trend will not change. That is to say, the role of nuclear energy in the future energy system, in my opinion, will become increasingly prominent. As the manager and operator of nuclear power production, we will first and foremost ensure the safety and stability of the units. Second, we focus on high-quality development to enable nuclear power plants to create greater value," said Lu in an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).

Lu's remarks come amid the ongoing "two sessions," the annual meetings of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the CPPCC. Both bodies serve a five-year term and hold a plenary session each year, generally in March.

The fourth session of the 14th NPC and the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC kicked off in Beijing on March 5 and March 4, respectively. A main focus is the adoption of the country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), a key blueprint guiding China's drive toward modernization.

Lu stressed that China is actively developing nuclear energy, and this strategy is also a key feature of the newly enacted Atomic Energy Law.

To fortify legislation on national and public security, the NPC Standing Committee enacted the Atomic Energy Law to support research, development, and peaceful utilization of atomic energy in accordance with the law, according to a work report delivered by Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, at the second plenary meeting of the fourth session of the 14th NPC in Beijing on Monday.

In line with this vision, China is making significant strides in advanced nuclear technology.

Linglong One, the world's first land-based commercial small modular reactor (SMR), is set to begin operation this year in south China's island province of Hainan.

Located in Hainan's Changjiang Li Autonomous County, Linglong One is globally significant as the first land-based commercial modular SMR to have passed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s safety review.

Lu noted that Linglong One has attracted international attention, with over 1,000 visitors from nearly 90 countries touring its construction site over recent years.

"We have already completed Linglong One's user manual in Chinese and English versions. And under the leadership of the International Atomic Energy Agency, we participated in the formulation of relevant standards for the small modular reactors. Last year, we completed the cold functional test of Linglong One. Currently, the hot functional test is underway. After fuel-loading, it will physically start operation. The overall progress is quite good," said Lu.

Lu said the commercial operation of Linglong One is expected to start in the second half of this year.

Beyond technological advancements, China's nuclear industry has gained international recognition for its innovation and management practices.

Sanmen Nuclear Power Co., a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), is officially named a "Lighthouse Factory" by the World Economic Forum in October 2024.

"Overall, China's nuclear power sector has 27 operating units by far. Most of the units can meet the evaluation standards of the 'Lighthouse Factory.' In fact, we use more on-site detection methods and approaches to provide decision support for our production management. This is the main purpose of the 'Lighthouse Factory,' which is to solve the problems in the field of information, digitalization and intelligence, and empower the power plants," said Lu.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.