On January 7, SEPA Vice Minister and Administrator of National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) Mr. Li Ganjie met in SEPA office building Dr. Dale Klein, the visiting President of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Both sides held talks on improved cooperation on nuclear safety, especially on the safety of the AP1000 nuclear reactors, and renewed the China-U.S. Agreement on Cooperation on Nuclear Safety.

At first, Mr. Li introduced the progress of China's nuclear power. He said to actively develop nuclear power is one of the key points to optimize the energy mix, the necessary choice to solve energy and environmental problems, and the important approaches to promote energy saving and emissions reduction, cut down greenhouse gases, and address the climate change; it is of great significance. In October 2007, China released the Special Plan for Development of Nuclear Power (2005-2020), making overall arrangements for the country's development of nuclear power. At the same time, the country constantly expand the international cooperation and promote the nuclear development by introducing, assimilating and absorbing advanced technologies from the international community.

Mr. Li said that the rapid development of nuclear power has posed greater challenges for the regulation of nuclear safety. As the State authorities in charge of nuclear safety control, SEPA and NNSA will strictly perform their functions, ensure the operational safety of in-service nuclear facilities, establish laws, regulations, and standards related to nuclear safety, speed up the building of nuclear safety regulatory teams, extend the channels for information release and public participation, and constantly promote the sound, scientific, and steady development of nuclear power. NNSA will exercise strict standards on examining, evaluating and supervising the safety of the AP1000 nuclear power units and facilitate the construction of the projects by adopting active measures.

Mr. Li extended his gratitude towards NRC for their help to NNSA over the 26 years. He pointed out that both sides should enhance cooperation to ensure that AP1000 units are successfully manufactured and safely operated in China, so as to promote the development of clean and safe nuclear energy and contribute more to the global sustainable development of energy, and to adjusting the energy mix, promoting emissions reduction and addressing the worldwide climate change.

Mr. Klein said the U.S. NRC will continue to provide supports for NNSA on the safety control of AP 1000 units and promote the sound and steady development of nuclear power.

In May 2007, both countries signed China-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding on the Cooperation on Nuclear Safety of AP 1000 Nuclear Reactors of Westing House during the 2nd China-U.S. Strategic Economic Dialogue.