Gu Jun: Improving Legal Background for Nuclear Power Development

Nuclear power will be a key player in all fields in the future. It will power spaceflights, marine resource exploration and construction of stations in space and deep seas.

Gu Jun, a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress and general manager of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), outlined the company's plan during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period at the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

CNNC will focus on supporting national strategies, technological innovation, the industrial economy, enterprise management and security development to lay a solid foundation for an advanced nuclear technological industrial system and nuclear industry power.

Gu always has his eye on the laws and regulations related to nuclear power. He said that although China's nuclear industry has dozens of years of history, relevant laws and regulations still need improvement.

He suggested issuing the Atomic Energy Act and making regulations on spent fuel management to promote nuclear power development and a normalized, highly-efficient and orderly treatment of spent fuel.

Carbon neutrality and peaking carbon dioxide emissions were mentioned as highlights in 2021 at the Central Economic Work Conference. Nuclear power was seen as a crucial choice to reach those targets.

According to Gu, CNNC will make full use of its advantages to promote rapid development of nuclear power as a strategic support to realize the goals.

He also said that CNNC will improve security of nuclear power while matching it with the entire energy structure in China. The company will make full use of nuclear power to improve the country's energy structure, boost economic and social development and contribute to environmental protection.

Gu Jun, a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress and general manager of China National Nuclear Corporation [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)