Zhang Weiwei and Wang Zhenqing: China's Nuclear Power, from "Starting from Scratch" to "Going Global"

Energy security is the cornerstone of national development and an important bargaining chip in the global landscape. Nuclear power, as a clean and efficient strategic energy source, carries the hopes of countries to ensure energy supply and achieve green development. The development path of China’s nuclear power is a legendary tale of independent innovation, evolving from nothing to a world leader.

Currently, the situation in the Middle East is rapidly changing, and the topic of energy security is once again heating up, drawing more attention to nuclear power as a key energy sector. Amidst the turbulence, why has China’s nuclear endeavor been able to rise from scratch to a stable and far-reaching global presence? In the March 24 episode of “This is China” aired on Dragon TV, Zhang Weiwei, director of the China Institute at Fudan University, and Wang Zhenqing, director of the China National Nuclear Corporation’s Strategic Planning Research Institute (CNNC Think Tank), engaged in an in-depth dialogue and discussion on the struggles, technological breakthroughs, and global impact of China’s nuclear power.

“This is China” Episode 324

He Jie: Hello everyone, welcome to “This is China.” Let’s together understand China and the world.

Recently, the joint attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran have heightened attention on the Middle East situation and increased focus on energy security. Among various energy sources, we know that nuclear power is a very important part. Speaking of Chinese nuclear power, it can be said that it has evolved from scratch to global engagement, carving out a completely independent and innovative path, filled with many exciting stories.

Many people may find nuclear power mysterious due to a lack of understanding. Today, we have specially invited Wang Zhenqing, director of the CNNC Think Tank, to share with us the development path of China’s nuclear power. Welcome, Director Wang. We also have Professor Zhang Weiwei, director of Fudan University’s China Institute, with us in the program. We will first give the floor to Director Wang for his speech, after which we will start our on-site discussion.

Wang Zhenqing’s Speech

Wang Zhenqing: Hello, dear viewers. Today, we are going to share a story about the struggles of China’s nuclear industry, which has been self-reliant and dream-chasing. From the shores of Hangzhou Bay at the foot of Qinshan to foreign lands along the “Belt and Road,” China’s nuclear power has completed a leap from a blank slate to global outreach in just 40 years, firmly mastering core technologies and bringing the Chinese solutions and standards to the world.

The starting point of this story goes back to the 1980s. Under the guidance of the Party’s strategic decisions, our country implemented the “728 Project,” embarking on a great exploration of independent nuclear power development. Qinshan Nuclear Power Station was born, becoming an important vehicle for carrying the dream of national energy security. In the technology museum of Qinshan Nuclear Power, there is a quartz clock that stopped at 0:15 on December 15, 1991. It was on this deep night that the main control room of Qinshan Nuclear Power Station erupted with thunderous cheers as China’s self-designed and constructed nuclear power plant successfully connected to the grid, generating its first kilowatt-hour of nuclear power. At that moment, China became the seventh country in the world able to independently design and build nuclear power plants. Qinshan Nuclear Power has also been praised by national leaders as a “national honor.”

Who would have thought that behind this glory lies the arduous exploration of countless nuclear industry professionals who “crossed the river by feeling the stones.” When Qinshan Nuclear Power started construction in 1985, we faced a “three-nothing” dilemma: no technical experience, no equipment foundation, and no management system. Coupled with the international community’s technological blockade, every step was incredibly difficult. The first plant manager of Qinshan Nuclear Power, Comrade Yu Hongfu, recalled that the difficulties encountered in those years were countless, but no one thought of giving up.

The most distressing incident was the damper event. The dampers needed for Qinshan Phase I had already signed a contract with the United States and paid for them, but just before shipment, the American side suddenly detained the goods, citing sensitive equipment issues. It was as if a hard-fought battle had its supply line cut off, with the project at risk of stalling at any moment. In a critical moment, the technical team decided: If others won’t provide, we’ll make it ourselves. Everyone worked day and night, reviewing materials and conducting experiments repeatedly. Before long, they produced qualified design drawings and successfully manufactured the required dampers domestically, breaking through this technological blockade.

Such stories of independent breakthroughs abound in the history of Qinshan’s construction and the development of China’s nuclear industry. The Qinshan Nuclear Power Station has over 200 primary and auxiliary systems, 24,000 pieces of equipment, over 160 kilometers of various pipelines, and more than 1,100 kilometers of cables. Every breakthrough in domestic production of parts and every kilometer of pipeline installation and testing embodies the wisdom and sweat of nuclear industry professionals. As the then-general manager of Qinshan Nuclear Power, Shang Xianhe, said, every component bears the original genes of self-reliance and hard work. It is this gene that enabled China’s nuclear power to stand firm in the face of adversity and deliver a perfect “answer sheet.”

Qinshan Nuclear Power Station Exterior China Nuclear Power Network

Qinshan is not only the “cradle” of China’s nuclear power but also an “Eastern classroom” for talent cultivation. Here, the first batch of 35 nuclear power operators, known as “golden personnel”, were trained. They started from scratch to master reactor operation techniques and later most became senior executives and experts in the nuclear power field.

In 2021, the Qinshan Nuclear Power Phase I project was granted an extension of 20 years, which not only prolonged the operational time of the units but also demonstrated the confidence in the safety and reliability of China’s nuclear power technology. By the end of 2025, the nine units of Qinshan Nuclear Power will have generated over 910 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, providing strong power support for energy supply and green development in the Yangtze River Delta. The current generated power is equivalent to about five times the total electricity consumption of Shanghai in 2025.

Starting from Qinshan, China’s nuclear power embarked on a journey of transitioning from “following” to “running together,” and then to partial “leading.” If Qinshan Nuclear Power solved the problem of “existence” for China’s nuclear power, then the birth of “Hualong One” signifies that our nuclear technology has entered the ranks of the world’s advanced technologies. As a representative of China’s independent third-generation nuclear power technology, the independent innovation of “Hualong One” is the result of 30 years of dedication from Chinese nuclear industry professionals.

The chief designer of “Hualong One,” Xing Ji, still remembers the difficulties of being constrained by core technologies during his participation in the construction of the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station in the 1980s. Introducing technology was just the first step; the real core competitiveness lies in independent innovation. After the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, international nuclear safety standards were significantly raised, and China’s research team did not retreat but instead invested in research and development of nuclear power technology that meets higher safety standards, ultimately creating “Hualong One,” which fully meets the highest international safety standards, achieving a transition from “catching up” to “leading” in the development of China’s nuclear power.

The innovative double-layer containment of “Hualong One” can withstand a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and the impact of a large aircraft. The dual safety system of “active + passive” ensures safe shutdown relying on natural forces in extreme conditions. It uses a fully self-developed “177 fuel assembly,” providing China with its own “Chinese core,” with a design life of 60 years, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 8.16 million tons per unit annually.

Behind this is a complete system built on 2,044 standards, supported by over 700 domestic patents, 65 international patents, and 125 software copyrights, as well as the collaborative efforts of 75 universities and research institutions, over 5,400 equipment manufacturers, and nearly 200,000 people, fully demonstrating the institutional advantages of China’s new type of national system that concentrates efforts to accomplish major tasks.

In 2021, the world’s first “Hualong One” unit, Fuqing Nuclear Power Unit 5, was put into operation, marking the breaking of foreign technological monopolies by China’s nuclear power. By the end of 2025, the total number of “Hualong One” units approved for construction globally has reached 41, making it the largest third-generation nuclear power technology in construction, truly becoming a “national business card.”

As of May 14, 2025, the “Hualong One” demonstration project Fuqing Nuclear Power Units 5 and 6 is seen from the sky (drone photo).

China’s nuclear power has never stopped its exploration of the world. As early as 1991, 16 days after Qinshan Nuclear Power successfully connected to the grid, our country signed an agreement with Pakistan to cooperate in building a nuclear power plant. The Chashma Nuclear Power Project became the first “business card” for China’s outbound efforts. In 2017, all four units of Chashma Nuclear Power were fully constructed and put into operation, with a total installed capacity of over 1.3 million kilowatts, greatly alleviating the electricity shortage in Pakistan. Zain Siddiqui, editor of Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, emotionally stated, “With nuclear power, the daily power outage time in our country has been halved, thanks to China.” This simple sentence not only recognizes the technology of China’s nuclear power but also serves as a testament to the friendship between China and Pakistan.

The first overseas project of “Hualong One” — the Karachi K-2/K-3 nuclear power project in Pakistan, successfully connected to the grid in 2021 and 2022, letting our country’s “national business card” shine in countries along the “Belt and Road.” Even more commendably, this project set a record for the shortest construction period for the first overseas third-generation nuclear power unit and won the honor of the best practice case for international energy cooperation under the “Belt and Road” initiative.

In February 2023, Pakistan held the completion ceremony for the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 (K-3).

Today, China’s nuclear power has formed a complete industrial system, covering everything from uranium resource exploration and mining to nuclear fuel component processing, from equipment manufacturing to engineering construction, and from operational management to decommissioning. Every link has achieved independent control. By the end of 2025, the number of operational nuclear power units in our country will reach 59, with an installed capacity of over 61 million kilowatts, ranking among the world’s top; the total number of approved nuclear power units under construction will reach 112, the largest scale globally. The clean electricity generated by these nuclear power units every year provides solid support for our country to achieve its “dual carbon” goals.

The steady development of China’s nuclear power has always followed a clear strategic path. In 1983, our country clearly proposed the “three-step” strategy for the development of thermal neutron reactors, fast neutron reactors, and fusion reactors, known in the industry as the “thermal reactor, fast reactor, and fusion reactor” development strategy. The core is to solve the issues of sustainable development of nuclear energy and the long-term safe supply of nuclear fuel, guiding the direction of our nuclear power endeavors. Among them, thermal reactors are considered a century-scale energy source, with models represented by “Hualong One” undergoing large-scale and mass development, currently becoming the mainstay of China’s nuclear power; fast reactors are seen as a millennium-scale energy source, capable of increasing uranium resource utilization by over 60 times, promoting closed-loop nuclear fuel cycles; fusion reactors, regarded as an ideal energy source for future human society due to their rich resources, environmental friendliness, and inherent safety, are considered a ten-thousand-year-scale energy source.

Over the past 40 years of practice, Qinshan Nuclear Power’s independent exploration, “Hualong One’s” technological breakthroughs, and fusion technology research and development have all been concrete measures to implement this strategy. From the first kilowatt-hour of nuclear power generated at the foot of Qinshan to the global outreach of Chinese nuclear power; from the difficult exploration under technological blockade to the confidence of independent innovation; from the arduous entrepreneurship starting from scratch to the sense of responsibility in engaging with the world, the development history of China’s nuclear power is a vivid embodiment of the self-reliance and strength of science and technology in New China. The chapters written by generations of nuclear industry professionals continue, and the footsteps of China’s nuclear power towards the world have never ceased. I believe that in the future, China’s nuclear power will contribute more Chinese strength to global energy development and carbon neutrality with a safer, more efficient, cleaner, and smarter stance! Thank you all!

Roundtable Discussion

He Jie: Just now, Director Wang shared the story of the development of China’s nuclear power with us. We know that in the entire energy system, people are more familiar with oil and gas resources, but actually, wind power, hydro power, and nuclear power are all playing their respective roles. On one hand, you introduced the role of nuclear power, and on the other hand, you led us to understand the path that Chinese nuclear power has traveled. Our country began planning how to utilize nuclear power in the early 1970s, but that was still a very special period for China. Why did we have such foresight back then?

Zhang Weiwei: Director Wang mentioned the “728 Project,” which was decided by Premier Zhou Enlai on February 8, 1970. At that time, Shanghai was severely short of electricity, as it is a major industrial hub of China, accounting for a significant portion of the entire GDP. Therefore, it was necessary to ensure that Shanghai had sufficient power supply, and the plan was set to conduct independent research. Overall progress was not very fast.

The year 1985 was a key year. In a sense, I was a participant and a historical witness. Why? Director Wang mentioned that the construction of Qinshan Nuclear Power Station started in March 1985. In July, I accompanied our then Vice Premier Li Peng, who was in charge of industry and power, to the U.S. to sign the “China-U.S. Cooperative Agreement on the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy.” This document was quite important. The two sides negotiated for a long time, and on the night before the signing day, Li Peng felt that the prepared speech was inadequate and decided to revise it himself. He wrote a completely new draft on a single A4 sheet of paper, stating that the agreement had finally been reached, and everyone was very happy, emphasizing the need for both sides to strengthen cooperation. I also accompanied Li Peng to visit a nuclear power station near Chicago, which was equipped by Westinghouse.

By the late 1980s, the construction of Qinshan Nuclear Power Station was underway. China Nuclear Power Network

He Jie: Professor Zhang’s shared story provides a glimpse into how China sought cooperation with the outside world during the development of nuclear energy. Looking back, we started planning in the early 1970s, but substantial actions did not take place until 1985. This decade-long period indeed proves that the initial stage of our nuclear power development was quite difficult.

Wang Zhenqing: The development of nuclear energy requires a strong industrial foundation to support it. Premier Zhou Enlai’s decision on February 8, 1970, to carry out the “728 Project” was the first step for our country to pursue the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is an integrated product of multiple disciplines and industrial categories. By promoting nuclear power development, we can significantly enhance our country’s research, design, and equipment manufacturing capabilities, which in turn drives the overall upgrading of our industrial system. From the overall development trajectory, our country has maintained a very steady pace of development.

We also have a very important milestone, known as the “Huilongguan Meeting.” In 1983, our country established the “three-step” strategy for nuclear energy development, which includes thermal neutron reactors, fast neutron reactors, and fusion reactors, referred to as the “thermal, fast, and fusion reactors.” The government had a comprehensive consideration of this, placing the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the context of national energy security, showing our country’s overall layout and long-term strategic thinking regarding nuclear energy development.

He Jie: You just mentioned the “Huilongguan Meeting.” Is the three-step strategy for nuclear energy development that was established then what we are currently practicing?

Wang Zhenqing: Yes, our national strategy is advancing according to this rhythm.

He Jie: In other words, this three-step strategy has basically guided the approach for the following decades and showcased our country’s strategic planning capability.

Wang Zhenqing: When the Qinshan Phase I Nuclear Power Station was constructed as part of the “728 Project,” it was primarily to ensure Shanghai’s power supply. After site selection, it was located in Haiyan, Jiaxing, Zhejiang. Subsequently, Qinshan Phase II was built with four fully domestically produced units, which supplied nearly 50% of the electricity to Shanghai. During periods of electricity shortages, maintaining stable and high output from nuclear power was also a very important aspect.

He Jie: It can be said that it has played a silent but significant role. As you mentioned, the entire energy security system consists of many sources of electricity, and each type of electricity plays its role. Listening to Director Wang’s stories may evoke strong emotions among everyone. This resembles many fields in China that have developed from poverty to prosperity; we started striving to “follow,” and even many core technologies were controlled by foreign countries. Yet, through self-reliance and hard work, we traversed this path, ultimately transitioning from “running together” to “leading.” It seems that this is a common narrative.

Zhang Weiwei: We visit Germany about once a year, and during one of our discussions with their engineers, I was quite touched. They mentioned that currently, there are no engineering projects left in Germany; all projects are in China. I suggested they organize themselves and come to China. You see, Germany’s entire electricity policy is dominated by the Green Party, focusing on clean energy, first eliminating coal power, and even demolishing the most advanced coal power plants, and then shutting down nuclear power, which has led to significant energy shortages. Many German factories have relocated, some to China, and some to the U.S. But I believe that ultimately, they will have to come back to China because they are not fully aware of the electricity shortages in the U.S. as well.

He Jie: Political irrationality and immaturity can cause the greatest harm to a country. In the peaceful use of nuclear energy, many countries’ policies may waver, or even retreat, undermining their own foundations. Why has China maintained such clarity and determination in its approach to the peaceful use of nuclear energy? Decades have passed, and we have not wavered. How did we achieve this?

Wang Zhenqing: As I am not part of the decision-making level, we understand national policies from the perspective of a research institute. I have a few insights:

First, any country’s peaceful use of nuclear energy is a strategic choice. Developing nuclear energy is not an easy decision because it requires a complete industrial system to support it, especially for self-developed nuclear energy. Second, a large talent system needs to be established. Third, support from various aspects, including public environment, is essential.

In fact, our country’s determination to develop nuclear energy following the “three-step” strategy has leveraged the advantages of our democratic centralism. Our scientists proposed a very sound technical route for nuclear energy development, which was reported to the State Council, and ultimately confirmed as our national three-step overall development strategy. This illustrates that under the democratic centralism system, our policy and technical recommendations have been adopted by the central government as national policy for promotion. Furthermore, the backdrop of the country’s determination to develop nuclear energy has propelled the overall development of our equipment manufacturing sector. As I mentioned during my speech, the Qinshan Phase I only had a generating capacity of over 300,000 kilowatts, but it involved multiple supporting equipment manufacturers, driving an overall upgrade of our technological equipment.

He Jie: Could you briefly explain which categories and fields it should encompass?

Wang Zhenqing: From the perspective of our overall nuclear energy development, the first is mechanical equipment. Mechanical equipment is crucial for us because it has specific requirements for materials, including our basic steel materials for hot rolling and cold rolling. The second is electrical equipment, including important equipment like generators and circuit breakers. The third is wires and cables, and the fourth is power control devices, such as those controlling our reactors.

There are also some fundamental aspects, including our construction processes and some basic steel materials. Once nuclear energy reaches a certain stage of development, it will depend on the improvement of its energy density and overall safety. Therefore, we are also conducting extensive research on “root technologies” in the basic R&D field to ensure the development of the entire system. I believe this reflects the overall industrial strength of a nation.

Zhang Weiwei: I would like to add that a significant reason why China’s decision-making is relatively reliable is that politicians govern with a long-term vision, often considering three to five steps ahead. Also, there is a high proportion of engineers among Chinese officials, which is the highest in the world. In contrast, the U.S. is governed by lawyers, and Germany has shifted to “Green Party” governance, with various professionals in leadership roles.

I do not dismiss the potential for talent to emerge from any profession, but I believe that regardless of whether it is politicians or engineers, our older generation, who often come from military backgrounds, share a highly consistent way of thinking with engineer-like thinking, which is grounded in practicality. The focus is on identifying problems, understanding their causes, and finding solutions systematically.

This approach is reflected in our annual Two Sessions, where the Government Work Report details last year’s commitments, what has been accomplished, and what still needs improvement. Compared to the annual State of the Union Address in the U.S., which is filled with empty rhetoric and applause from half the audience, our reports are grounded in significant realities, with every line impacting millions of people, demonstrating a high degree of value.

Wang Zhenqing: We undertake many projects with great rigor during the evaluation process. If we identify any uncertainties, we will always adopt a more prudent solution. However, once a decision is made, we move forward unwaveringly, step by step. The General Secretary has emphasized the “Nail Driving Spirit,” right? “One hammer follows another.” In fact, the development history of our nuclear industry embodies the practice of the General Secretary’s philosophy, implementing the national energy security strategy and national security strategy to steadily promote the development of nuclear energy.

However, during this process, the General Secretary also requires that the development of nuclear energy must prioritize safety. Thus, we must ensure how to employ newer technologies, more reliable experiential feedback, and stabilize operations, including the use of new intelligent methods to enhance overall nuclear power safety, providing a more reliable support for our national energy security.

He Jie: You mentioned nuclear safety, which is indeed a major concern. Events like Chernobyl and the Fukushima nuclear disaster on March 11, 2011, have left a deep impression on people. Each time such incidents occur, people may start to question whether nuclear power is safe. Could you explain what measures China has taken to ensure the safety of our nuclear power?

Wang Zhenqing: Discussing nuclear power inevitably leads to safety issues. After these incidents, they have actually spurred the overall progress of our country’s nuclear technology.

I distinctly remember that after the “3.11” earthquake in Japan on March 11, 2011, the State Council initiated a nationwide inspection of existing nuclear power technologies within four days. From this perspective, we are committed to ensuring the utmost safety of nuclear technology.

In conjunction with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the feedback reports mentioned by Professor Zhang, we have made numerous technical improvements domestically. In fact, after the “3.11” earthquake, we need to invest around 300 million to 400 million RMB in enhancing the safety and technology of each unit. The research and development of “Hualong One,” which is our third-generation nuclear technology, has employed new methods, including anti-terror measures and ensuring safe shutdown in cases of external power loss. We have done extensive work in these areas.

Another reassuring point is that the reason why nuclear power has high initial investment costs is that a significant portion of the investment is concentrated in safety areas, including redundancy in safety systems, diversity, etc., along with extensive work done during the site selection phase.

He Jie: It’s particularly illustrative that the majority of investments go towards safety, which helps everyone understand the seriousness with which we approach nuclear power safety.

Zhang Weiwei: I would also like to share my experience. The Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion occurred in 1986, and we visited Romania three months after the incident. The distance from Chernobyl to Bucharest is about 800 to 900 kilometers. When we arrived at the embassy, the staff warned us against consuming certain items: all dairy products, yogurt, and milk should be avoided, and fruits were also restricted due to potential radiation. The impact of the Chernobyl disaster was significant even at such distances.

Later, I consulted experts, and they explained that the Chernobyl unit was a first-generation reactor, lacking a concrete containment shell, which made it primitive. This led to such a major disaster. This disaster was later exaggerated by Ukrainian nationalists and Western forces promoting a “color revolution,” blaming the Soviet Union for not providing assistance, attributing the disaster solely to them. This also played an important role in pushing Ukraine towards independence.

He Jie: However, it does provide a concept that the consideration of nuclear power safety is not just about safety itself; it also touches on political issues. Therefore, as you mentioned, it is indeed essential to prioritize security at the national level.

Wang Zhenqing: Therefore, within the “Overall National Security Concept” proposed by the General Secretary, nuclear safety is regarded as a very important component of national security. Nuclear safety is not only about the safety of nuclear utilization itself; it also relates to the overall safety of the nation. Any nuclear-related incident tends to be amplified by the media. Additionally, it transcends national boundaries. Thus, in the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy, we need to consider how to contribute China’s wisdom and experience to our global counterparts.

He Jie: Let me ask you a small question. Beyond electricity generation, what other benefits does nuclear energy offer? What are the other uses of peacefully utilizing nuclear energy?

Wang Zhenqing: This is also a question of great concern to everyone. There are primarily three areas of application: First, through heat, nuclear energy can be used in various applications, providing steam for chemical plants and addressing the low-carbon energy supply issues in the petrochemical industry, such as nuclear heating. Second, it can be utilized for seawater desalination and other operations by providing energy through heating.

Third, as the General Secretary mentioned, technology should focus on “four orientations,” and in the field of nuclear energy, the focus should be on what? It should be on the health and safety of people’s lives. Nuclear energy produces a large number of medical isotopes, which we often use in hospitals for PET scans or cancer treatments. The Qinshan Nuclear Power Station, which I introduced in my speech, has a large isotope industrial park adjacent to it, focusing on producing key nuclear isotopes and medical isotopes needed for the future, aimed at meeting the health needs of the population. In this way, our nuclear energy addresses energy security issues while also satisfying industrial demands and the health needs of the people.

Audience Interaction

Audience 1: Hello, teachers. My question is about China’s nuclear energy. In recent years, we know that Israel and the United States have frequently launched military strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, citing the development of nuclear weapons as a reason, and have assassinated Iranian nuclear scientists. At the same time, among established nuclear countries, such as Germany and South Korea, we have seen the abandonment of nuclear energy and dismantling of nuclear power plants. My question is, in the process of peacefully utilizing nuclear energy in China, have we faced similar political and public relations pressures? How have Chinese nuclear professionals overcome these obstacles?

Wang Zhenqing: I think this is a very professional question. First, regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, we are not primarily focused on international issues, but rather on issues related to the nuclear industry. From our perspective, the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy is a fundamental right of every sovereign country.

Second, regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, the attacks and strikes by the U.S. against Iran are primarily based on claims that Iran is developing nuclear weapons, which may be unfounded. They have targeted Iran’s enrichment plants and fuel facilities. In fact, the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) clearly define the safety of civilian nuclear facilities, stating that during wartime, attacks on them are prohibited, according to international law. Violating international law would lead to moral condemnation from various countries.

You mentioned the second issue regarding the development of nuclear energy. Our country has a clear and firm goal for nuclear energy development. External changes will certainly influence domestic sentiments. Why? It mainly affects people’s psychological perceptions, which in turn influences local decision-making and relevant policies. In fact, from the perspective of nuclear practitioners, we focus on what technical improvements, management improvements, and technological research and development should be undertaken in response to these incidents. We enhance nuclear power safety through bottom-up technological drives, management improvements, and performance enhancements. Thus, the development of nuclear energy has never been a simple energy issue but rather a strategic national issue. How to maintain strategic clarity and determination in this strategic issue is what we should adhere to.

Zhang Weiwei: You initially mentioned the conflict in Iran, where the U.S. and Israel are attacking Iran, which violates international law, and we should condemn that. Iran has agreed to reduce its enriched uranium concentration to below 5%, which is a significant concession, and has stated it can maintain that for seven years while demanding that the U.S. lift all sanctions against it and has other requests. However, the U.S. still does not accept this. Additionally, the U.S. had long devised a strategy based on deception, publicly stating they would negotiate in Geneva the following week, only to launch a war instead.

The U.S. believed that if they could assassinate Ayatollah Khamenei, the spiritual leader of Iran, the country would be filled with “matches,” ready to ignite turmoil. They thought that with the leader’s death, the people would revolt, leading to the collapse of the command structure, allowing a pro-U.S. government to come to power. However, the U.S. miscalculated strategically; the leader’s death became a martyrdom that united more Iranians against the U.S. and Israel. This reflects the situation. However, around the negotiations concerning uranium enrichment, there were indeed opportunities for dialogue, with significant concessions already made. If there was genuine goodwill, an agreement could have been reached.

He Jie: Speaking of uranium enrichment, we previously had the concept that China is a low-uranium country. How have we shed this label in the process of peacefully utilizing nuclear energy?

Wang Zhenqing: The question raised by Professor He is indeed very strategic. This is mainly because uranium mining requires specific exploration and extraction processes. We previously did not invest enough funds in the nationwide uranium resource survey, leading to insufficient exploration.

In fact, when our country formulated the “three-step” strategy for nuclear energy, it demonstrated significant technological foresight and strategic vision. In the second step, we aimed to build fast reactors. Fast reactors can utilize a large amount of uranium-238, which is extremely abundant in nature, thus addressing the resource scarcity issues in China. We are currently conducting new research, such as extracting uranium from seawater. As long as there is sufficient economic viability for engineering applications in the future, we are fully capable of advancing this new technology. Therefore, we are relatively ahead in this regard. Additionally, we also collaborate with overseas partners for uranium resource development and trade to ensure energy security.

Audience 2: Hello, host, and greetings to the two teachers. My question is, in the past 40 years of technological innovation in nuclear power, has China transitioned from being a follower in the industry to a rule-maker?

Wang Zhenqing: Firstly, we need to return to our country’s strategic foresight regarding the overall development of nuclear energy. We have established a very robust development route for “thermal reactors, fast reactors, and fusion reactors.” We have continuously iterated the safety operation levels of existing units, currently ranking first or second globally. Our overall safety operation capabilities, including personnel capabilities, technical capabilities, and equipment capabilities, are very advanced.

Secondly, while ensuring technological development and the R&D of new third-generation nuclear technologies, we are also moving fastest and furthest in planning for fourth-generation nuclear power. Many technologies still remain in the laboratory or on paper in various countries, while we have already entered the engineering phase, and some have begun generating electricity.

Thirdly, we actively participate in global nuclear governance. There are numerous Chinese faces in international organizations related to nuclear energy. We are exporting Chinese experiences and standards, including the establishment of new international standards, and making continuous and in-depth advancements in this area. We uphold an open philosophy, providing many countries with better options for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Zhang Weiwei: There is a characteristic of the Chinese model: once an industry becomes a leader, the gap between the second place and us will rapidly widen, and we achieve a significant lead. They truly find it difficult to catch up, as the breadth of our applications, the scale of our market, and the intensity of our internal competition lead to increasing gaps between us and the second-place competitors, making it nearly impossible for them to catch up.

Audience 3: Hello, teachers, and hello, host. My question is, an important vehicle for Chinese nuclear power enterprises to go global is the overseas projects under the “Belt and Road” initiative. In the context of intensified competition among major powers and rising geopolitical risks, how should Chinese nuclear power enterprises respond to the political risks and security reviews from host countries, including potential technological blockades from the West? What impact will our technology exports have on the global energy landscape?

He Jie: Please take a seat. This is a good question, and it is not only relevant to the nuclear power sector but also significant for many projects we have invested in and cooperated on overseas. Given the heightened risks of geopolitical conflict, how can we ensure the smooth and safe cooperation of projects?

Wang Zhenqing: This is a very hot topic and one we are currently very concerned about. There are several things I can share:

First, we are now ahead of the West in construction, equipment manufacturing, operation, and intelligence in many areas. In the nuclear energy expansion field, we must rely on hard power to break through, providing stable and economical nuclear technology based on safety and reliability.

Second, we need to cultivate soft power. Nuclear energy exports are never simply an economic issue; they are an integral part of our country’s diplomatic strategy. In the context of serving the national diplomatic agenda, how to perform our corresponding work is something we need to consider.

Third, there must be collaboration across the entire industrial chain. Nuclear power is just one aspect of electricity; it fundamentally requires our country’s powerful industrial system as support, which is very important.

Fourth, when promoting the layout of nuclear energy in countries along the “Belt and Road,” we also provide more nuclear energy application scenarios for these countries, including building many research reactors for nuclear technology applications in Africa, producing isotopes to meet local needs, and constructing research reactors in universities. In these aspects, I believe we are providing a new paradigm of safety and development; this is our significant contribution to the world in the field of nuclear energy.

The Karachi Nuclear Power Plant in Pakistan was fully completed and put into operation on April 18, 2022. Both units employ the “Hualong One” third-generation nuclear technology, which is entirely independently innovated and possesses independent intellectual property rights, marking the first overseas deployment of “Hualong One.” The Paper

Zhang Weiwei: I would like to add a point. I believe that our country is just beginning to take large projects abroad, and there are a few experiences worth noting:

The first is “rural encircling the city.” The majority of “Belt and Road” countries are “Global South” countries, and when we encounter obstacles in entering Western markets, there are still plenty of opportunities in the “Global South” that we should seize.

Second, it is not necessary to start with large projects right away; we can begin with smaller projects. You mentioned engaging in smaller projects at universities and research institutions, allowing them to witness the strength of Chinese nuclear capabilities.

Another effective method is to invite them to China to see for themselves. The high-speed rail initiative went out this way, inviting them to experience it firsthand. The high-speed rail in China is indeed impressive. The same goes for nuclear power plants; once they visit, they will realize how advanced our technology is. People tend to compare options, and this comparison often brings a more profound realization.

He Jie: In Director Wang’s words, it is about breaking through with hard power and expanding influence with soft power. Gradually, people will come to recognize that China’s solutions and wisdom in the peaceful use of nuclear energy are competitive on the global stage.

Today’s discussion has helped everyone understand the development journey of China’s nuclear energy, particularly in the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy. I believe that most of the professionals in this field remain relatively unknown, rarely sharing their stories. However, we now see that after nearly half a century of effort, China has transformed from a state of nothingness in this domain to a leading position globally, continuously contributing more Chinese wisdom and solutions to the world. Therefore, I think we should applaud the efforts of those in the Chinese nuclear energy sector and look forward to them making even more contributions for the people and the world. I would also like to thank Director Wang for being our guest today, thank Professor Zhang, and thank you all. Goodbye.