A nuclear power plant in Qinshan is being guarded by local police. (Photo : Getty Images)
Residents claim that the planned project will violate environmental rules set by the government.
Protesters were chanting "no nuclear fuel recycling project in Lianyungang," while local police tried to guard the local square. The local police said on Sino Weibo that the protest was illegal and discouraged people from participating.
Photos of police with anti-riot gear appeared on Weibo and appeared to be arguing with protesters. The claims were unverified.
The protests lasted until Sunday night. Lianyungang's local government issued a statement that the site of the project was still undergoing discussion and public consultation will be conducted once the plans are firm.
The local government also ensured the public that transparency will be practiced but residents who spread rumors will be punished.
A local resident named Zhang said, "It is very important to choose a safe location to deal with nuclear waste since it is radioactive. Lianyungang is located in a seismically active area, and there is already a nuclear waste plant here. It is unsafe to see another nuclear project coming and besieging us."
Local government representatives said that the project is still in the planning stages and the site is not yet confirmed.
According to Gui Liming, an expert from Tsinghua University and an authority on China's nuclear safety program, the country is now well-equipped with technology to deal with radioactive gasses and liquids in the recycling process.
He added that China is now using bituminization to solidify nuclear waste and is being buried and not expelled to the sea or the air.
The expert also explained that there is an unlikely event of an explosion because this only happens when the temperature is too high, that current nuclear plant technology will already prevent it from occurring.
The project is a joint venture of China and France and will be implemented by the China National Nuclear Corporation. Other proposed project sites are Guangdong, Shandong, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Gansu.
Construction will commence in 2020.
