China-Russia Ties: Both countries deepen nuclear power cooperation

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02:53

China and Russia are expanding their cooperation in many fields, including in nuclear power. The two countries signed big deals recently to build such power units based on safe and very strict standards. Tianwan, the first such plant in eastern China's Jiangsu province is an example. Zheng Yibing has more.

A nuclear power unit recently put into use. It's part of the biggest such cooperation project between China and Russia. Behind it are the efforts of many.

ZHENG YIBING TIANWAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, JIANGSU PROVINCE "These Russian technicians have worked here for over 15 years. They have become an important part of the team, backing up the safe and sound running of the nuclear power plant."

For Gavrilin, his routine job is coordinating and monitoring.

GAVRILIN ALEXANDER FEDOROVICH RUSSIAN TECHNICIAN "Our Russian team, as designers and contractors, participated in the building of four power units here, particularly the first two, in which, we are responsible for device supply, installation and debugging."

His colleague Minakov knows every detail of the projects. Safety and high efficiency are the team's goals.

SERGEY MINAKOV RUSSIAN EXPERT "There are new safety measures, for example, for the first time, we are using double protective shells, increasing a special ventilation system, and establishing negative pressure to stop radiation even when accidents happen."

Tianwan's phase-1, 2-unit project started working in 2007. They are generating electricity for the neighboring areas and are viewed as "the model of China-Russian nuclear power cooperation".

Its phase-2 project with another two units was put into use last year.

They have signed big nuclear power deals, including another two units to be built here.

ZHANG YI VICE GENERAL MANAGER, JIANGSU NUCLEAR POWER "In the first phase, the Russian team did the debugging, while we did it in the second phase. After over 1,000 technological improvements, we have achieved excellent rankings in the World Association of Nuclear Operators."

All these are based on the smooth and cooperative work of both teams.

ZHAO CHENLIANG CHIEF OPERATOR, TIANWAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT "We have a pleasant chemistry. Our Russian colleagues greatly helped in the construction phase, and now they are backing up the running of the units. We are happy for such ties."

Now, besides Tianwan, another two units provided by Russia will be installed in northeast China's Liaoning province. And both countries will work together on China's future generation of nuclear power projects. And further cooperation is on the way.

For the Russian teams, their work, life and friendships in China make them feel at home in Tianwan, just like this bridge linking the area to broader areas. ZHENG YIBING, CGTN, in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province.