China has submitted to Seoul a nuclear security progress report, outlining the efforts it has made since the first summit in Washington two years ago. China currently has the largest nuclear projects under construction in the world. As such, safety and security challenges are likely to remain as China demands more nuclear energy in the future.

China is on track to make nuclear energy the foundation of its power-generation system in the next 10 to 20 years. In March last year, the earthquake and tsunami triggered Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan led many countries, including China, to reconsider the reliability of nuclear power development. As a result, China suspended approval of new developments out of safety concerns. But full scale construction of nuclear plants is expected to resume soon this year.

Professor Guo Xiaobing, Institute of Arms Control and Security Studies, said, “China's rapid industrialization and urbanization demands great energy supply, and nuclear power is indispensable. However, as for now there won't be many new approvals this year, especially in land reactors construction, because of radiation concerns."

Experts say the nation's nuclear power capacity is very likely to reach 80 gigawatts by 2020 - a big step up from the 11 gigawatts in 2010. China currently has 15 reactors in operation, and 26 more under construction. It is the largest project in the world.

Professor Guo Xiaobing, Institute of Arms Control and Security Studies, said, "China's safety and security measures have helped its nuclear technology develop without major accidents in the past 50 years. Meanwhile the country is still putting more efforts into personnel training, technological research and security checks."

In order to minimize hazards and risks, new power plants will be constructed using third, instead of advanced second generation reactors. The new technology harbours a more secure and efficient cooling system. Experts say China's ability to convert nuclear reactors to run on non weapon grade low enriched uranium, rather than highly enriched uranium, also helps ensure nuclear safety, both at home and abroad.

China's high energy demand will lead to more nuclear-generated power being used across almost all industries. But at the same time Beijing will promote only the peaceful use of nuclear energy for sustainable development, and work to maintain international security with the rest of the world.

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