In a bid to strengthen the communication and cooperation between China and the U.S. in the field of nuclear safety, the Sino-US Nuclear Safety Cooperation Forum jointly held by the National Nuclear Safety Administration of P.R.C. and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was kicked off in Beijing on January 8. With the aim of promoting the implementation of the AP1000 nuclear power generation projects introduced to China, the two sides will strengthen cooperation in such fields as the formulation of laws, regulations, standards and technical papers regarding the supervision of nuclear safety and the surveillance of the production of major nuclear safety facilities so as to ensure the safe construction and safe and stable operation of the AP1000 nuclear power generation projects in China. The file photo shows the release of the Joint Proposal of the Sino-US Nuclear Safety Cooperation Forum by representatives from the National Nuclear Safety Administration of China, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), State Nuclear Power Technology Corp., the US-based Westinghouse Electric Corporation, the Zhejiang-based Sanmen Nuclear Power Co. and the Shandong Nuclear Power Co. Ltd.

The third generation nuclear power generation technology, namely the AP1000 advanced pressurized water reactor AP1000 technology introduced to China is developed by the US-based Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The nuclear power station constructed by employing this technology is the only third generation nuclear power station approved for designing by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The technology adopts the special design of "passive" safety system, thereby simplifying the number of facilities, lowering the incidence rate of nuclear accidents and improving the safety and reliability of the operation of nuclear power station.

Started in the 1970's, the nuclear power industry of China has accumulated rich experience in terms of scientific research and designing, project construction, equipment manufacturing and operation management. Presently, there are 10 nuclear power generation units in operation of 6 nuclear power stations of Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant (Phase I), Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant (Phase II), Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant (Phase III), Dayawan Nuclear Plant, Ling-ao Nuclear Power Plant and Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in the Chinese Mainland with the total installed capacity of around 8 GW. By 2020, the total installed capacity of nuclear power generation units nationwide will increase to 40 GW, and 18 GW will be under construction, lifting the ratio of the installed capacity of nuclear power generation units to the total installed capacity of power generation nationwide to 4%.