
China's next-generation nuclear plans take step forward with fast gigawatt reactor design
next-generation nuclear energy
Named the CFR-1000, it will be China's first commercial fourth-generation gigawatt-level fast neutron reactor. The facility is now awaiting approval and expected to become operational after 2030.
Other major nuclear powers, including Russia and the United States, are also working on advanced reactors with the aim of developing a more fuel-efficient source of power.
The
China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) told a symposium on advanced nuclear energy held on Tuesday in Fuzhou that the preliminary design of the reactor – which has a maximum output capacity of up to 1.2 gigawatts of electricity – had been completed.
The event in the capital of southeastern Fujian province – where China has built a demonstration reactor – was attended by representatives from the China Atomic Energy Authority and National Energy Administration.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


South China Morning Post
3 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
Transparency key to easing regional concerns over Tibet mega-dam
When Premier Li Qiang broke ground for the construction of the Yarlung Tsangpo mega-dam, he marked the start of one of the most extraordinary infrastructure projects in world history. Advertisement Located in Medog, a remote county on the Tibetan Plateau, the super-dam could produce, when completed, three times the output of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze and will play a decisive role in China's commitment to become carbon-neutral by 2060. It will be a big part of the renewable energy mix that includes solar and wind power, not only in the Tibet autonomous region but for central China as well. As part of a national project to integrate the Tibetan region with development and economic growth, the renewable energy bonanza from the dam will promote population growth, tourism, and resource exploration and extraction. The 1.2 trillion yuan (US$167 billion) dam will benefit not only the local economy, but also regional development. By harnessing the river's 2,000m elevation drop in the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, the world's deepest, it can potentially provide 300 million people with clean power, including in nearby countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Myanmar, stimulating regional economic development. Bangladesh and Myanmar suffer frequent power outages and can especially benefit from the dam's projected excess capacity. This is not to deny the countries are sceptical . India is especially opposed to the project and is planning an 11.2-gigawatt dam downstream to assert its water rights. Beijing is well aware of the controversy. The foreign ministry has said rigorous environmental protection and mitigation efforts will be made during construction, and transparency will be maintained through communication with countries downstream. Advertisement It needs to do more. To mitigate transborder disputes, it won't be enough to just say there will be 'no negative impact' downstream. China can build confidence through engagement and transparency. Timely data-sharing on dam conditions and water levels will certainly help.


South China Morning Post
3 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
China champions ‘inclusive AI' framework to win the hearts and minds of developing world
Advertisement In his keynote speech on Saturday at the opening of the three-day World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai , Li proposed the establishment of an international organisation to form a global governance framework for AI, unifying nations' different regulatory approaches to the technology. Li also put forward Beijing's support for the open-source development trend in AI, while upholding freer exchanges of research and talent in this fast-growing industry. Still, China's advocacy for inclusiveness, equality and joint governance in AI is likely to face scrutiny in the West – particularly in the US, which promotes a different set of values and approach to AI governance. The White House's new AI Action Plan leaves the core of American policy towards China unchanged, despite US President Donald Trump 's recent concessions and shifts in rhetoric. Advertisement


South China Morning Post
33 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
HKMA right to warn against market speculation over stablecoins
People once worried whether stablecoins had any applications in Hong Kong. Now, the concern is that investors are getting a tad too enthusiastic. The stablecoin ordinance was passed in May and will take effect on August 1. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority warned not once but twice this month that some investors were already speculating based on vague concepts from some listed companies. It also cautioned against possible scams, money laundering and terrorism funding. Advertisement HKMA chief executive Eddie Yue Wai-man is right to warn against market speculation ahead of time. However, if the coming licensing and regulatory regime functions as it should, there should be proper safeguards in place. A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency that is pegged to a specific reserve asset, such as the US or Hong Kong dollar. It is not an investment or speculative instrument, but a method of blockchain-based payment with no room for appreciation. By being highly regulated, it is closer to central bank digital currencies and tokenised deposits by commercial banks, rather than cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, whose value is determined by market forces. Recently, however, some local listed companies which have only proposed vague ideas about cross-border payment, Web 3.0 development or foreign-exchange trading have seen their share prices surge. Yue said only a few issuers would be approved at the initial stage. Since any cybercoins issued must be fully backed by reserve assets, issuers will have to show adequate financial resources. HKMA's caution is warranted as the city is moving fast to develop virtual-asset trading while many foreign jurisdictions are still at the review stage. The Bank for International Settlements has envisioned a future worldwide blockchain infrastructure to harmonise money and assets. Stablecoins' global trading volume reached US$27.6 trillion last year, according to a report by cryptocurrency exchange operator surpassing the combined volume of Visa and Mastercard transactions during the same period. That is clearly the future of money. Hong Kong is ahead of the game and is reinforcing its position as an international financial hub. Advertisement