Safety First

　　Nuclear energy is a double-edged sword.If well-regulated，it can give great impetus to development.But it can also pose a great risk in case of accidents，like the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan five years ago.

　　The disaster impacted the world and increased public concerns about nuclear safety globally.To allay safety fears at home，China，a leader in the peaceful use of nuclear energy，has issued its first white paper on nuclear energy，giving safety top priority in the development of its nuclear energy industry.

　　The document，China’s Nuclear Emergency Preparedness，issued on January 27，details the government’s policies and measures to boost nuclear emergency preparedness and promote nuclear security.

　　As the world’s largest energy producer and consumer，China needs clean and efficient fuel.It is also committed to increasing the share of non-fossil fuels in its energy consumption to about 20 percent by 2030.This means nuclear power has become an important part in the energy strategy and accordingly，the government has stepped up preventive measures to keep nuclear power plants safe.

　　Releasing the document will help the public understand China’s nuclear emergency preparedness and enhance people’s confidence in nuclear energy，according to Yao Bin，head of the Nuclear Emergency and Security Division at the State Administration of Science，Technology and Industry for National Defense.

　　“The white paper shows China’s determination to develop nuclear power under the principle of maintaining safety，” noted Gui Liming，Professor at Tsinghua University.“This indicates the great importance China attaches to safety while developing nuclear energy.”

　　The genesis

　　China has 30 nuclear power units in operation，with an installed capacity of 28.31 million kw.Another 24 units are under construction，with a capacity of 26.72 million kw.“This is the largest number in the world，” Xu Dazhe，Chairman of China Atomic Energy Authority，said at the release of the white paper.

　　In addition，eight more units were approved last year.“At this rate，we can reach the goal of 58 million kw with an additional 30 million kw under construction by 2020，” Xu said.

　　Most of the nuclear plants are located in the eastern coastal areas.“[It’s] because the eastern region is more economically developed，and the development of nuclear power should meet demand first，” he explained.

　　“The development of nuclear power will help overcome environmental constraints，ensure energy and realize low-carbon development，？said Ye Qizhen from the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

　　“It [nuclear energy] will become an important part of China’s future sustainable energy system，” added Ye，who is also the chief designer of the second phase of the Qinshan nuclear project，China’s first domestically designed and constructed nuclear power plant in Zhejiang Province in east China.

　　China’s homemade nuclear power technology has become mature and paved the way for export.Hualong One，a third-generation nuclear reactor design，is one of the most advanced in the world in terms of innovation in safety technology and standards.China and Argentina have signed an agreement to build a Hualong One reactor for the South American country.

　　Developed by China’s State Nuclear Power Technology Corp.，the technology to build CAP1400，a pressurized water reactor，will be exported to South Africa and Turkey.During the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation last December，an agreement was signed between China and South Africa to train South African nuclear technicians.

　　China has bilateral agreements on nuclear energy cooperation with 30 countries since it joined the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1984.They include the United States，Russia and France.

　　Insiders say that safety is the lifeline of the nuclear power industry while the emergency response system is the last line of defense for nuclear safety.China’s nuclear activities “remain in a safe and stable state，？the white paper says，with no incidents above level 2 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale，which rates seven levels.

　　“Both development and safety are important； development is premised on safety，” Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the Third Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague in March 2014，where he elaborated for the first time China’s nuclear security concept of rational，coordinated and balanced development.

　　Emergency response

　　Experts say that China has attached great importance to nuclear safety and emergency response since it proposed to establish its nuclear power industry in the mid-1950s.The first nuclear power station was constructed in 1985.Over the years，a nuclear emergency management system has been set up with a clear division of duty among the central and local governments and nuclear power plants.

　　At the national level，China has the National Nuclear Emergency Coordination Committee，composed of 24 ministries under the State Council，China’s cabinet，and the army，forming a comprehensive and well-coordinated response framework.At the local level，16 provinces，autonomous regions and municipalities have set up nuclear emergency response committees.Nuclear power plant operators also have their own emergency response groups.

　　The nuclear emergency response system has successfully addressed several incidents over the past years.Chinese professionals showed their ability in their handling of the negative impact on the nuclear power industry of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province in 2008 and the Fukushima accident three years later.

　　After Fukushima，most countries strengthened their nuclear accident preparedness.The Chinese Government also vowed to upgrade its nuclear emergency work for the safe，efficient，sustainable and healthy development of the nuclear energy sector.

　　“We don’t want the contingency plans to be put into operation but with all the precautions taken，safety would be guaranteed，？Xu said.

　　China currently has more than 30 national-level professional nuclear response teams specializing in rescue missions.It will additionally set up a 320-strong national nuclear emergency response team to deal with severe nuclear accidents and participate in international operations，according to the white paper.

　　“Participating in international rescue missions can contribute to human society and portray China as a responsible country before the international community，” Xu said.

　　In addition，the government has stepped up nuclear emergency preparedness public communication，training and exercises and enhanced response capability at various levels.

　　Shield 2009，China’s first national-level nuclear emergency drill，was held in 2009.The second，Shield 2015，involving military and civilian nuclear emergency response forces，was held in south China’s Guangdong Province.

　　“Ensuring public safety must always be the top priority when a nuclear emergency occurs，” said Xu.“For us，the most important task now is to improve the safety level of nuclear construction and prevent accidents through innovation，infallible standards and advanced technologies and equipment.”

　　By Liu Jian

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