China implements atomic energy law for nuclear innovation and safety

China officially implemented its first atomic energy law on Thursday to regulate and promote the nation's nuclear sector. The law prioritizes safety and security while explicitly encouraging technical innovation in fields such as controlled nuclear fusion and the utilization of nuclear energy.

A primary focus of the legislation is the standardization of high-safety reactor designs like the Hualong One. This third-generation reactor features a double-layer containment structure designed to withstand extreme external impacts, including commercial aircraft strikes. By codifying these safety requirements, the law ensures that China's domestic nuclear expansion meets rigorous international standards.

The law also supports the multipurpose use of nuclear energy. Linglong One, the world's first commercial land-based small modular reactor, represents this shift toward flexibility. Unlike traditional large-scale plants, Linglong One was designed for factory fabrication and can be deployed for industrial steam, regional heating and seawater desalination.

The law explicitly encourages scientific research and technical development in controlled nuclear fusion. By incorporating fusion into the national legal framework, China aims to standardize the transition of frontier technologies, such as the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) and the Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak (BEST).

Regarding safety, the law mandates a defense-in-depth approach, placing primary responsibility on nuclear facility operators. It codifies stringent standards for the entire nuclear fuel cycle, including the closed-loop management of spent fuel and the standardized disposal of radioactive waste.