China published the first nuclear white paper on Wednesday, Jan. 27, highlighting regulations and measures about nuclear emergency readiness and outlining a “rational, coordinated, and balanced” nuclear security strategy.
The white paper said, "China has consistently given top priority to nuclear safety in its peaceful use of nuclear energy."
Furthermore, the country put emphasis on development and safety. The paper reviewed the country's "sound safety record" from the time nuclear activities started in the mid 1950s, outlining that nuclear facilities and incidences had always been "in safe and stable state." As a result, safety at nuclear power stations was in a constant state of improvement.
The white paper stated: "None of the nuclear power generating units on the Chinese mainland has suffered events or accidents rated above Level 2 under the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, with the release of gaseous and liquid effluents kept far below the national regulatory limits."
According to Shanghai Daily, the white paper attributed the good safety record to advanced techniques, thorough supervision, and enhanced emergency management over the past 60 years.
Apparently, China has the most sophisticated technology and most rigorous standards that ensure safety and effectiveness development of nuclear power. Everything with regard to nuclear emergency management is crucial because nuclear accidents have no national boundaries.
Speaking to a press conference on Wednesday, the head of the China Atomic Energy Authority, Xu Dazhe, said that the government slowed endorsement for new nuclear generators after the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, putting in place measures to ensure nuclear facility safety.
The measures include evaluation of all functional facilities as well as those under construction, besides improvements being made to the nuclear emergency response system.
The same publication unveiled that the Chinese mainland currently has 30 functional nuclear power generating plants, with 28.31 gigawatts total installed capacity. Furthermore, the country has 24 units under construction with a capacity of 26.72 GW.
The Chinese government endorsed the development of eight nuclear power generating plants in 2015, a rate at which the country can achieve the goal to raise the installed nuclear power capacity to 58 GW with an extra 30 GW under construction come 2020.