Aerial view of Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant held a symposium and media event commemorating the 40th anniversary of its construction at its base in Haiyan county in Zhejiang province on March 20 to show the world China's plan for safe use of nuclear energy and green transformation.

Since its construction in 1985, the first nuclear power plant independently designed and built by China has developed into the country's nuclear power base with the largest number of units and most complete reactor types. It has a total installed capacity of 6.66 million kilowatts and a cumulative safe power generation of more than 860 billion kilowatt-hours, equivalent to a reduction of 800 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The power plant has built an internationally leading and replicable nuclear safety supervision system through innovative technology, talent training, strengthened management and program formulation, supporting the base's safe operation for more than 170 reactor years. It achieved "zero unplanned shutdowns" of its nine units in 2022 and 2024, providing a model for the safe development of global nuclear power.

As a pioneer of China's international nuclear power cooperation, Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant has achieved many highlights in technology export. For example, in 1991, it assisted Pakistan's Chashma Nuclear Power Plant with its own technology, realizing the first export of China's commercial nuclear power plant industry chain. Since then, it has completed the commissioning, technical transformation and talent training of six units in Pakistan, creating a benchmark for South-South Cooperation. In 2021, Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant participated in the commissioning of the first overseas "Hualong One" unit — Pakistan Karachi Nuclear Power Unit 2 — which was officially put into commercial operation, becoming China's national business card for promoting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The media event attracted reporters from multiple international news organizations, such as Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao, Russia Today International News Agency, France Televisions' Shanghai Branch and Dubai's China-Arab TV, who reported on the global application of China's nuclear energy technology.

According to the World Association of Nuclear Operators' comprehensive index assessment, China's nuclear power leads the world with an average comprehensive index of 99.13 in operational capabilities, and through the "I-Nuclear" full life cycle service system, it realizes standardized empowerment from personnel training to intelligent operation and maintenance.

The evaluation system jointly participated in by major nuclear power countries such as the United States, Britain, France, Japan and Russia also confirms the credibility of China's nuclear power technology, while the full-chain solution covering design, construction, operation and maintenance contributes Chinese wisdom to global nuclear safety governance.