By Li Donghui
Vice Chairman, China Atomic Energy Authority
April 25, 2001

Talking Points

Environmental pollution has become a major factor impeding the sustainable economic and social development in the world, and the role of nuclear energy in energy development and environment is catching world-wide attention. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the harmonized development of population, resources and environment, and places the strategy of sustainable development in a more prominent position.

1. China's nuclear energy development and its relevant policies

In Dec. 1991, the 300 MW PWR of Qinshan NPP was connected to power grid.

In 1994, the two 900 MW units of Daya Bay NPP went into commercial operation.

Between 2003 and 2005, the 4 nuclear power projects with 8 units and a total installed capacity of 6600 MW initiated in the Ninth Five-Year Plan period will be completed and put into operation successively.

1)Our Experience

-China has already achieved self-reliance in construction of 300 MW PWR NPP and development of 600 MW PWR,

-and is able to construct 1000 MW PWR through international cooperation with China playing the major role.

2)The analysis on advantages and disadvantages of introduction or self-construction of nuclear power, and its future development in China

a. Projects under construction is based on introduction with multi reactor types.

Negative results:

-delays of the localization of NPP with large capacity,

-high-cost of units and

-low competitiveness against thermal power.

b. Promoting localization of nuclear power will accumulate experience and capability, and greatly improve technology and management.

c. China's energy structure with dominance of coal shall be readjusted to achieve sustainable development.

d. Promoting the economic competitiveness, safety and non-proliferation factor of nuclear power will be the orientation the efforts for harmonized development in the future.

3)Guidelines of nuclear power development in China

-"Quality and safety come first"

-"Cooperating with foreign countries with China playing the major role, introducing technology and promoting localization"

-Gradually realize self-design, self-manufacture, self-construction and self-operation.

4)Technological guidelines of nuclear power development in China

-1000 MW PWR units with 300MW as one standard loop will be China's main target.

-China's new generation reactor type will give consideration to improved safety, economicality and non-proliferation factor.

2. Study on environmental pollution caused by coal and nuclear energy

Environmental pollution has become a critical issue hindering the sustainable development of the world and the pollutant brought about by energy is a major source.

China relied mainly on traditional fossil fuels in which coal accounted for about 70%, resulted in severe environmental problem. The Chinese government formulated a series of policies and measures for environment control since late 1990s. Like western countries, we also experienced development and environmental control.

A comparison study made by Chinese experts on the effect of coal and nuclear fuel chains on environment, health and climate change shows that the coal fuel chain is much higher than nuclear fuel chain even in terms of radioactive effect. The radioactive irradiation of coal fuel chain to the public is 420Sv.person (Gwea)-1, and that of nuclear 8.39Sv.person (Gwea)-1, only one fiftieth of coal.

The greenhouse gas emitted from coal fuel chain is 1300 g CO2 equivalent (Kweh)-1, that of nuclear 14g CO2 equivalent (Kweh)-1, that of hydro 108 CO2 equivalent (Kweh)-1. The emission quotient is about 100 times higher than that of coal.

Conclusion: China needs to gradually change its energy structure and speed up the development of nuclear energy to reduce environmental pollution and achieve sustainable development.

3. China supports bringing nuclear power into CDM

The Chinese government advocates harmonious development of utilization and environmental control and restraint of the emission of CO2 by developing nuclear energy properly.

1)Reasons and effects of climate change

Excessive utilization of primary energy and sharp increase of greenhouse gases resulted in "greenhouse effects" and global warming.

2)Global warming will result in rise of the sea level and change of climate system and will severely imperil the subsistence and development of human society.

Chinese experts estimate that global warming will cause huge loss to China's coastal area and will quicken the drying-up of rivers and desertification in North China.

3)United Nations Frame Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol

China holds UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol are of vital importance to slow down climate change. The Convention identifies that developed and developing countries have "common but different responsibilities" and the developed countries bear more duties for they are more responsible to climate change.

4)Fundamental way to settle the issue of climate change

The fundamental way is to reduce emission of greenhouse gases and the major means is to cut down consumption of primary energy. Optimized energy policy shall be laid down: first, promoting the utilization efficiency and technology, and second, increase the proportion of clean energy.

China holds that nuclear power is a clean energy and suggests that the international community give objective and scientific consideration to its role in reducing environmental pollution, and promote its development. China stipulates in its Tenth Five-Year Plan to "properly develop nuclear power". China has embarked on the road of optimizing energy structure and reducing emission of greenhouse gases.

China is willing to follow the principles of "common but different responsibilities" and equality under the framework of UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol. China wishes the CSD 9 meeting and follow-up meetings will give objective and scientific consideration to nuclear power and bring it into CDM. And we wish the Kyoto Protocol would enter into effect as soon as possible.