1st Ld-Writethru: China expands int'l cooperation in nuclear energy: white paper

China is dedicated to promoting an international nuclear safety emergency system and sharing achievements in peaceful use of nuclear energy with other countries, said a white paper issued on Wednesday.

China has reached bilateral agreements on nuclear energy cooperation with 30 countries since it joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1984, including Brazil, Argentina, Britain, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and France, said the white paper on China's Nuclear Emergency Preparedness released by the State Council Information Office.

China General Nuclear Power Corp. (CGN) and Electricite de France (EDF) have signed an agreement to build a nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point C in Britain. China's third-generation nuclear reactor design, known as "Hualong One," is expected to be used in the project.

"China, France and Britain are all leading powers in peaceful use of nuclear energy, and we should be full of confidence in this multilateral cooperation," said Xu Dazhe, director of the China Atomic Energy Authority, at a press conference.

China has also acceded a number of international conventions, including the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.

Moreover, China has actively fulfilled international obligations regarding nuclear emergency preparedness, the document said.

Chinese delegates have attended all conferences on nuclear emergency preparedness and nuclear safety convention obligation compliance organized by the IAEA, and submitted national reports on nuclear emergency preparedness and compliance with nuclear safety obligations, it said. Endi