Author:Gu Xinping

　　[CAEA Web news]Mr.Zhang Huazhu, Chairman of China Atomic Energy Authority(CAEA),met with Mr.Pierre Gadonneix, president&CEO of EDF on January 13,2005.Both sides exchanged views on basis and prospect of Sino-French nuclear cooperation. 

　　Mr.Zhang said, we were the eyewitness of Sino-French Cooperation in the past 20 years. The cooperation in the nuclear energy not only enhanced the long lasting friendship of two countries, but also played an important role in promoting nuclear industry development of two sides. Under the atmosphere of nuclear power stagnation in the world currently, China had just made a decision to speed up the nuclear power program in the meantime that France had also actively pushed forward the construction of EPR reactors in Finland and France respectively. China and France shared common understanding and planning in the field of nuclear power development, which laid a solid foundation for the future cooperation.

　　Mr.Gadonneix said，based on my 25-year experience in the energy sector, I considered that the nuclear power plan of Franch in 1960’s and 1970’s was successful.France paid a particular attention to nuclear safety and economy. There were 58 nuclear power reactors in France currently. France was very proud of its lowest price of nuclear electricity in Europe and no any accident nuclear safety relate. In its process of nuclear power, France had built up a set of feedback system in terms of nuclear design, supplier selection and operation of nuclear power plants, which benefited its nuclear power program. China was facing the similar situation and challenge which France did in the past. France hoped to give China some help based upon its experiences accumulated in the past 40 years. The exchange and cooperation in the aspect of management experience, standardization and series of engineering technology and management would further promote the nuclear development in France. It was going to be a win-win situation.

　　Mr. Gadonneix also briefed Mr.Zhang the situation of EPR projects in Finland and France. (Gu Xinping)