Xi Yanchun:
Thank you, Mr. Liu Hua. Now, the floor is open for questions. Please identify the news organization you represent before asking questions.
CCTV:
As mentioned in the white paper, China implements a national nuclear safety strategy. What does this entail at present, and how is the work going? Thank you.
Liu Hua:
Thank you. China adheres to the nuclear safety strategy that puts safety first and combines the two goals of development and security. Within the overall framework of the five-year plan for national economic and social development, a nuclear safety plan is formulated and implemented for the matching period. The plan currently implemented is the 13th Five-year Plan for Nuclear Safety and Radioactive Pollution Prevention and Control and Vision for 2025, which analyzes the situation and tasks, clarifies guidelines and principles, and defines target indicators, key tasks and projects for nuclear safety. It is a general plan for coordinating all efforts to ensure nuclear safety from 2016 to 2020.
Last year, we carried out a mid-term evaluation of the 13th Five-Year Plan for nuclear safety. This determined that the set targets had basically been achieved , and the key tasks and projects had been completed on schedule. Generally, the plan has been progressing well.
Liu Hua:
First, our nuclear power plants have maintained a high level of nuclear safety in line with world trends. In the wake of the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, we worked out a plan for improving safety management, and a special action plan for the particular year in dealing with nuclear power plant safety management. The statistics of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) in the past five years show that operating units in China have performed above the world median for more than 80% of the indicators, and have reached the world advanced level for more than 70%. Generally speaking, China ranks in the forefront of the world in this respect.
Second, the safety level of research reactors and nuclear fuel cycle facilities has continued to be enhanced.
Third, progress has been made in the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and the management of radioactive waste.
Fourth, the management of nuclear technology utilization devices has been improved. In China, all radioactive sources are included in safety management, and an online monitoring system for high-risk sources has been established. The accident rate involving radioactive sources has continued to fall.
Fifth, efforts to decommission uranium mining and metallurgical facilities has made significant headway.
Sixth, the supervision of nuclear safety equipment has been further strengthened.
Seventh, overall nuclear security has been further upgraded.
Eighth, the nuclear and radiation emergency response system has been improved.
Ninth, R&D in nuclear safety technology has achieved effective results.
Tenth, the nuclear safety regulatory capacity has been further expanded.
China Review News Agency (Hong Kong）:
How can we strike a balance between nuclear safety and nuclear energy development? Thank you.
Liu Hua:
Thank you for your question. China has always regarded nuclear safety as a critical part of national security and we have developed nuclear energy and nuclear technology on the premise of ensuring their safety. In the process of nuclear energy development and safety management, we have undertaken the following work:
First, we clarified the division of responsibilities. The Nuclear Safety Law of the People's Republic of China was implemented in January 2018, clearly stipulating this delineation in official responsibilities. Organizations operating nuclear facilities are required to accept overall responsibility for safety. The national nuclear safety regulatory body implements regulation; the nuclear industry and energy authorities are responsible for the management of nuclear safety in accordance with their relevant duties. A mechanism for nuclear safety has been established to coordinate the work of corresponding departments. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment (National Nuclear Safety Administration) is responsible for overall regulation.
Second, exercising nuclear safety governance in accordance with the law. Firstly, the nuclear safety standard established by national regulatory authorities matches the international level because the standard has been set referring to that of the International Atomic Energy Agency and synchronizing with relevant international standards. Secondly, we urge the enterprises to shoulder their full responsibility in ensuring nuclear safety. This can be seen in the process of siting, designing, construction and operation of nuclear power plants. We constantly urge the enterprises to adhere to the principle of putting safety and quality first. Thirdly, strict supervision is exercised. China has implemented a nuclear safety review similar to international practice, and conducts regular rigorous technical reviews.
Third, marked achievements have been made. By June 2019, the Chinese mainland had 47 nuclear power units, 19 operating civil research reactors and critical assemblies, 18 nuclear fuel cycle facilities and two low- and intermediate-level radioactive solid waste disposal sites. We have maintained a good nuclear safety record in regard to every one, ranking among the highest of all countries in ensuring nuclear safety.
In 2000, 2004, 2010 and 2016, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted four comprehensive reviews of China's nuclear safety regulation system. I would like to brief you the conclusions of IAEA's comprehensive assessment of China's regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety in 2016: the effectiveness of regulation is enhanced gradually, and the regulatory framework is increasingly law-based, standardized, internationalized. The overall conclusion was that it is effective and credible.
Reuters:
I'd like to ask what is the current status of the proposed nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in China with France's Areva, with the previous proposed site in Lianyungang abandoned, a work in China due to reassure the public that such a facilities are safe. And also a quick second question. We have some new nuclear reactor approvals early this year. Just wondering what can we expect them of.
Liu Hua:
Thank you for your questions. The first one refers to a project jointly operated by China and France to handle the disposal of spent fuel. The program, which was highlighted and promoted by the two state leaders, is making headway as business negotiations are about to conclude. In addition, we are working together to unify safety criteria and press ahead with cooperation on security supervision. Recently, the project has progressed in line with the planned schedule. In my view, there will be even greater achievements in the treatment of spent fuel with the joint efforts between the two countries.
The disposal of spent fuel, critical to China's closed nuclear fuel cycle, should be handled in reprocessing plants, which will be solely built by us or jointly built by us and France for commercial uses. Related works are in full swing. In this process, we need to communicate with local people and governments concerning various issues, particularly the choice of sites. We need to tell them that the plants, including the site, design, construction and operation, will be safe, and that the plants will not release radioactive waste to their surroundings and endanger local lives. Reprocessing plant is regarded as a nuclear facility in China. There are stringent national safety standards. Thank you.
The second question is about the new projects. Not long ago, the National Energy Administration publicized several new nuclear power projects approved by the State Council earlier this year. All of them are smoothly progressing in the preparatory phase. In the following months, projects like the Zhangzhou nuclear power project in Fujian province and the Taipingling nuclear power project in Huizhou, Guangdong province will start construction after passing the latest security review. Now, they are all in the preparation phase. Thank you.
CNR:
I would like to ask a question regarding public participation. At present, what channels does the public have to access nuclear safety information? In addition, how should the public participate in decision-making involving nuclear safety? Thank you.
Liu Hua:
Thank you. Regarding the participation of the public, we can say that during its development process, nuclear energy has always been plagued by the issue of public participation, which is also known as the problem of not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY). Resolving the NIMBY effect is also a difficult problem in the world and needs to be dealt with in a rational, objective and dialectical way.
On the one hand, public participation reflects the improvement of the public's legal and environmental awareness. On the other hand, it also places higher requirements on our work. Both nuclear enterprises and relevant government departments should strengthen the pre-construction work of nuclear facilities . In the site selection stage and before construction starts, efforts should be made to educate the public more on scientific issues associated with nuclear facilities, release more information to the public and enhance their ability to participate. This should be done to ensure the public's right to know, to participate and to supervise. In addition, the safety status of nuclear facilities in operation should also be disclosed in a timely manner. The Nuclear Safety Law stipulates that the government and enterprises must disclose the safety status of nuclear facilities during the operation process, so we have also made public incidents and accidents in a timely manner through the official government websites. The information can be seen on the official websites of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the National Nuclear Safety Administration. At the same time, relevant enterprises should also disclose the operation safety status of their facilities in accordance with the law.
China Daily:
The U.S. imposed nuclear restrictions on China amid U.S.-China trade tensions, and added the China General Nuclear Power Group and several of its affiliates to an entity list. What impact will the U.S. move have on China's nuclear energy development and nuclear safety? And what countermeasures can we take? Thank you.
Liu Hua:
Thank you for your question. We have noted that the U.S. Department of Commerce added China General Nuclear Power Group and its three affiliates to the department's Entity List in mid-August. By doing so, the U.S. has abused the concept of national security and export control measures. It not only hurts Chinese companies, but also affects businesses in the U.S. and beyond. China firmly opposes the act of the U.S. to undermine the interests of China and other countries through unilateral and protectionist policies. We hope the U.S. will stop its wrongdoing and stick to an equal-footed consultation to find a solution. I also want to state the following four points on China-U.S. nuclear energy and nuclear safety cooperation.
First, the China-U.S. nuclear energy cooperation is mutually beneficial. Both China and the U.S. are leading countries in the application of nuclear energy and technologies with a complete nuclear industry system. Of course, the U.S. leads the world in nuclear energy and nuclear safety. China has introduced four AP1000 reactor units from the U.S. through substantial bilateral cooperation in nuclear energy. These units have been successfully built, debugged and put into operation in China. This cooperation has benefited companies from both countries and been carried out on a voluntary basis.
Second, the China-U.S. cooperation on nuclear safety over the past 35 years has been agreeable, friendly and effective, and has produced positive results. The two countries have enhanced their nuclear safety levels through mutually beneficial cooperation. As nuclear safety has no borders, I believe the cooperation between the Chinese and U.S. governments in nuclear safety will not be affected despite the trade frictions.
Third, China has also carried out fruitful nuclear energy cooperation with France and Russia, achieving substantial outcomes in some key projects, including nuclear power plants and spent fuel reprocessing facilities. So we say the U.S. is not the only country China carries out nuclear energy cooperation with.
Fourth, on the one hand, I believe Chinese companies, in the face of the U.S. nuclear restrictions, will further strengthen research and development, and continue to enhance their capacity in independent innovation. On the other hand, it should be pointed out that the global market for cooperation in nuclear energy is huge. China can cooperate with the U.S. as well as with other countries. Therefore, the U.S. restrictions may ultimately hurt its own businesses. Thank you.
Phoenix TV
My first question is: If the US adds Chinese companies to its entity list, what impact will it have on China?
Here is my second question. In the wake of the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, we have seen a growing trend towards denuclearization among many countries. Although there were some twists and turns in the past years, most countries have shown continued determination in their denuclearization efforts. As the white paper points out, China has 11 nuclear power units under construction, ranking first in the world. Why does China persist in developing nuclear energy? What is the reason behind China's unstoppable efforts in this regard? One more question. As multiple documents issued by the US and some European countries have indicated, the nuclear waste disposal capabilities of China's nuclear power stations will be stretched to the limit by 2020. Even if China expands its storage facilities, its nuclear waste disposal capabilities will peak in 2035. Can you shed some light on China's current capabilities to dispose of spent nuclear fuels? Thank you.
Xi Yanchun:
Quite a few questions. Some of them may have been answered just now. Mr. Liu will take the floor.
Liu Hua:
Thanks. You have asked three questions. Your first question is about America's nuclear
restrictions on China and their impact on Chinese nuclear companies, which I have already answered.
Let's go to your second question: Why does China persist in developing nuclear energy? China is a major nuclear country and the development of nuclear energy is an established policy of the Chinese government. Although we have seen a tendency by some countries towards denuclearization after the Fukushima accident, the major nuclear countries in the world, especially the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council，have been sticking to their policies of developing nuclear energy. A research report from the International Atomic Energy Agency also indicates that, for some countries who want to develop nuclear energy, this is still an important option. China's current coal-dominated energy structure means that we must develop clean and highly efficient energy sources to improve the environment and to win the battle for blue skies. China also has to develop clean energy to adjust its energy mix.
Secondly, from the perspective of energy security, a big country like China must have multiple energy sources and establish a diversified energy mix.
Thirdly, from the point of global climate change, we have to curb carbon dioxide emissions. As part of our efforts to protect the environment, we need to include zero carbon energy into our energy mix. Therefore, nuclear energy remains an important option.
Fourthly, the safe disposal of radioactive waste has always been a matter of importance since China started to develop nuclear energy. As a result, China has made strategic arrangements in the disposal of low- and intermediate-level as well as the high-level radioactive waste. Two factories for the disposal of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste have been built and are operating safely.
In the next phase, China will build about five more factories for the disposal of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste in the provinces that have been developing nuclear energy. Meanwhile, China has initiated the underground laboratory project for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste, and R&D work has been underway. The project will soon see some tangible progress. Radioactive waste with high-level radiation will be stored in safe locations far away from human civilization.
Xi Yanchun:
Now, we come to the last question.
China Radio International (CRI):
My questions are as follows. Five years ago, at the third Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, President Xi Jinping suggested that we should follow a rational, coordinated and balanced approach to nuclear safety, and he called for the building of a global nuclear security architecture featuring fairness and win-win cooperation. So, what are our follow-up initiatives and what's the latest progress? Thank you.
Liu Hua:
Thank you. In The Hague, President Xi Jinping put forward the vision for building a community of a shared future on nuclear safety, and proposed China's nuclear safety strategy. It should be said that we have made remarkable progress on our work on nuclear safety in recent years.
On the one hand, we are constantly improving the national nuclear safety system.
First, in terms of top-level planning, as I said just now, nuclear safety is part of China's overall national security framework and is written into the National Security Law. We have enacted the Nuclear Safety Law, made medium- and long-term development plans for nuclear safety, and kept the nuclear safety coordination mechanism, which is composed of various departments running effectively. All this is about top-level planning.
Second, in terms of the legal framework, the new Nuclear Safety Law has been implemented since 2018. In accordance with the latest international standards, we have revised and improved relevant Chinese laws, regulations and standards on nuclear safety, and established a legal framework of a strict and high standard on national nuclear safety.
Third, in terms of the system of responsibility, we have created clear lines of responsibility for enterprises. They in turn have launched various activities to ensure the safe operation of nuclear power and strengthened their management in this regard. Enterprises are also required to improve nuclear safety, think about worst-case scenarios, improve their emergency response and make various emergency plans.
Fourth, in terms of the building of nuclear safety capacity, we have enhanced both enterprises' research and development (R&D) in nuclear safety technology and the government's regulation and R&D in this regard. For some important nuclear safety research and development projects, the state organizes joint scientific and technological research.
Fifth, we are working to foster a culture of nuclear safety.
On the other hand, China actively promotes international cooperation on nuclear safety and the establishment of an international system of cooperation on nuclear safety.
First, China has actively acceded to international legal instruments on nuclear safety and fulfilled its due obligations. Over the past years, China has successively acceded to all the international conventions on nuclear safety of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations, including the Convention on Nuclear Safety, the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. China has fulfilled and acceded to these international conventions and fulfilled its obligations under these conventions.
Second, China gives strong support to the work of the IAEA and upholds the role of the IAEA under the multilateral system. China has provided all-round support to the IAEA, including continuous contributions to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund. Currently, China is the second largest contributor to the United Nations membership dues and the second largest contributor to the IAEA membership dues. China will continue to contribute to the Nuclear Safety Fund to support nuclear safety capacity-building in Asia and promote the simultaneous improvement of nuclear safety in all other countries.
Third, China actively participates in international exchanges and cooperation. China maintains close contact with the United States, France, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Canada as well as the emerging nuclear energy countries along the Belt and Road. China has signed more than 50 cooperation agreements on nuclear safety to increase communication between experts, technological cooperation, and high-level visits. China has also taken part in the Multinational Design Evaluation Program for nuclear power plants, promoted the establishment of a working group on the Hualong-1, and conducted joint international reviews. Through its National Research and Development Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety Regulation and State Nuclear Security Technology Center, China provides the platforms for developing countries to carry out training and exchange activities related to nuclear safety, raises the safety standard and capacity of all countries, and shares its security experience with other nations. It should be said that through these efforts, we have promoted a comprehensive and continuous upgrading of global nuclear safety standards. That's my answer. Thank you.
Xi Yanchun:
Again, thanks to the two speakers, and thanks to you all. Today's briefing concludes here.
