◆ Nuclear Power

The Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), China’s first self-designed and self-constructed 300MW PWR NPP ever NPP was put into operation in 1991, representing the windup of the history of no nuclear power in China’s mainland. The Daya Bay NPP accomplished in 1994 was a successful example of international cooperation in constructing nuclear power plants. Since 1996, the Qinshan Phase II NPP independently designed, and the Lingao NPP, Qinshan Phase III, and Tianwan NPP of international cooperation were constructed. Altogether 9 nuclear power units have been in operation by July 2004, with a total installed capacity of 7010 MW. The Tianwan NPP in Jiangsu Province that is still under construction will be accomplished and put into operation in 2005, increasing the total installed capacity of nuclear power to 9130 MW.

After more than 20 years of development, China has fostered solid foundations and capabilities in nuclear power technology, including R&D, engineering design, equipment manufacture, engineering construction and operation management; and is capable of independently designing and constructing 300MW and 600MW PWR units and constructing 1000 MW PWR units through international cooperation.

◆ Nuclear Fuel Cycle

China has founded a complete industrial system of nuclear fuel cycling. It consists of uranium exploration, uranium mining and milling, uranium isotope separation, manufacturing of nuclear fuel assembly, reprocessing of spent fuels, etc., and related scientific research, engineering design, construction, fabrication of instrumentation and equipment, safety protection and environmental protection, organizations and facilities for treatment and disposal of radioactive wastes.

Driven by nuclear power construction, technological progress has been achieved in nuclear fuel cycle. Fabrication of NPP fuel assembly can be produced domestically; the spent fuel processing plant is under construction; two depositaries for medium and low radioactive wastes have been constructed and put into operation; and studies on in-depth geological disposal of radioactive solid wastes are progressing. A nuclear fuel cycle industry corresponding with nuclear power development in China will be established. The nuclear fuel assemblies are produced domestically, utilizing domestic and foreign uranium resources. China practices closed nuclear fuel cycle. Plutonium is abstracted from spent fuel to make uranium-plutonium mixed fuel for NPPs, paving the way for the development of fast neutron reactors.>>>

◆ Study on Nuclear Science and Technology

The CNNC possesses of complete research system of nuclear science and technology, with the advantage of multi-subjects and synthesis. The research areas includes: uranium geology, uranium mining and milling, uranium isotope separate, nuclear fuel assembly, procession of spent fuel, treatment of radioactive wastes, nuclear physics, controlled nuclear fission, nuclear chemistry and chemical engineering, nuclear reactor, nuclear power plant, isotope, application of nuclear techniques, radiation protection, radioactive medicine, accelerator, nuclear detecting technique, instrumentation and equipment, etc., and organic chemistry, chemical analysis and chemical engineering of rare element.

Recently years, based on solid foundation of science and technology and perfect testing facilities, the research institutes have finished a lot of research tasks about nuclear science and technology and high-tech, as like nuclear power engineering, test of controlled nuclear fission, high-flux testing reactor, testing mini-reactor, strong pulse electron beam accelerator, rubidium-glass laser generator, and have got delightful progress on peaceful utilizing atomic energy and civil products. These achievements have got welcome and highlight of IAEA and many countries worldwide.>>>