China's first pilot nuclear power project using "Hualong One," a domestically-developed third-generation reactor design will soon go into a crucial test stage and is expected to start operations in 2020, according to China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).
"Its construction is carried out as planned, and its safety and quality are under good control," said Xing Ji, chief designer of "Hualong One" during a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
The project is being assembled in Fuqing, east China's Fujian Province. Another one is to be built later at the same site and two more in Karachi, Pakistan. All together, four such facilities are under construction in the world.
CNNC held a press conference in Beijing on Thursday on its development and achievements since China and the company adopted the reform and opening up policy 40 years ago. /CGNT Photo
"Their current construction goals have all been completed on time or beforehand. They are the world's only third-generation pressurized water reactor power units being constructed according to plan," said Yu Jianfeng, CNNC chairman.
Now, the third-generation nuclear power reactor design has much safer standards than the international predecessors.
Construction of the first "Hualong One" pilot project began in 2015 in Fuqing, and it is an window showing how the Chinese nuclear power industry tries to develop itself and link with the international community.
Dome installation completed for the "Hualong One" nuclear project in Fuqing, east China's Fujian Province, May, 2017. /VCG Photo
Based on these, CNNC announced earlier this month that the total amount of its import purchase and overseas local sourcing will exceed 12 billion US dollars in the next five years.
When asked about the US restriction on China's import of civil nuclear technology, Yu said that the domestic manufacturing rate of "Hualong One" has reached over 80 percent, and thus the US restrictions won't have big impacts.
"We will further open our door for international cooperation. We hope that we will have deeper exchanges in technological innovation with our international counterparts," Yu said.
CNNC's latest development and achievements displayed in a major exhibition in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. /CGTN Photo
CNNC's latest programs also include a small, dedicated "district heating reactor" named "Yanlong," the high temperature gas cooled reactor technology, and participation of the international fusion reactor program.
These technologies are being displayed in a major exhibition in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up.