China could build 30 ‘Belt and Road’ nuclear reactors by 2030

SHANGHAI: China could build as many as 30 overseas nuclear reactors through its pet project “Belt and Road” initiative over the next decade. Wang Shoujun, a standing committee member of the China People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), told delegates on Wednesday that China needed to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by “Belt and Road” and give more financial and policy support to its nuclear sector.

‘Nuclear exports will help optimize our export trade and free up domestic high-end manufacturing capacity,’ he added further. He further explained, ‘China needed to improve research and development, localize the production of key nuclear components, and grow both the domestic and foreign nuclear markets to give full play to the country’s “comprehensive advantages” in costs and technology.’

Wang, also the former chairman of the state-owned China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC), said “Belt and Road” nuclear projects could earn Chinese firms as much as 1 trillion yuan ($145.52 billion) by 2030. (Agencies)