Russia and China will develop the construction of Russian design NPPs in China, while the parties plan to actively use fast neutron reactors and closed nuclear fuel cycle technologies, said Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev. He was in China as part of the Russian delegation attending the 30th regular meeting of the heads of government of Russia and China in Hangzhou.
“We must move on in this part (cooperation in the nuclear field) to the next package of bilateral cooperation, including, without a doubt, the development of the construction of nuclear power plants of Russian design in China, and joint work on the fourth generation of nuclear energy – this is closing the fuel cycle and more active use of industrial fast neutron reactors,” he told reporters in Hangzhou.
“First of all, this is strengthening cooperation in the nuclear fuel cycle and, accordingly, increasing the strength of the Chinese nuclear energy sector in terms of uranium products,” he added.
Earlier, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang signed a joint communiqué. Eight documents were also signed in the presence of heads of government.
Russia and China will continue the construction of the Tianwan and Xudabao NPPs, according to the joint communiqué. “We agreed to continue the implementation of the construction projects of the Tianwan NPP and Xudabao NPP, to ensure the timely completion of construction work and commissioning of facilities,” the document says.
Russia and China intend to increase cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy; consistently promote cooperation in the fields of thermonuclear fusion, fast neutron reactors and a closed nuclear fuel cycle; and develop cooperation in the form of package agreements relating to the initial stage of the nuclear fuel cycle and joint construction of new nuclear power plants.
The communique emphasises that the parties highly appreciate the results of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the energy sector, confirm their intention to continue to unlock its potential, expand a comprehensive energy partnership, and strengthen a comprehensive, broad-sectoral and deep-level structure of bilateral interaction in the energy sector. The countries intend to jointly defend national, regional and global energy security; promote universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy sources; and promote a fair and balanced global energy transition.
Moscow and Beijing also agreed to support deepening cooperation between the enterprises of the two countries in the oil, gas, coal and electricity sectors, to help strengthen the interconnectedness of energy infrastructure, and to jointly ensure the safe and stable operation of cross-border energy routes. Russia and China will also develop cooperation in advanced technological areas such as renewable energy sources, low-carbon energy, hydrogen energy, energy storage, as well as carbon capture, use and storage systems.
The communique also noted the need to strengthen the stability of global energy markets and expand dialogue between energy producing and consuming countries advocating for open, competitive, non-discriminatory and free energy markets.
Within the framework of the communique Russia and China agreed to develop cooperation on issues relating to the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route, according to the press service of the Russian government. The Russian delegation included Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin.
The communique pays special attention to the transport and logistics agenda, including improving the safety of navigation, creating polar ships, training personnel, increasing cargo traffic and increasing the competitiveness of the route. The parties also agreed to modernise checkpoints, optimise operating hours, expand the range and volumes of goods transported, as well as increase the convenience and economic attractiveness of sea, river and intermodal transport and ensure the safe use of international sea routes.
