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China Civilian Nuclear Industry, Technology, Exports and Supply Chain: News & Discussions

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Summary of deals:
  • Among the 52 bilateral "early-harvest projects," those related to automobile assembly and polypropylene had already been launched.
  • Energy cooperation is developing successfully. The two countries have already established a large network of oil and gas pipelines. A commissioning ceremony was held on the third line (Line C) of the main Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline that connects Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and China.
  • Active use of the joint terminal in the Chinese port of Lianyungang, Kazakhstan managed to significantly increase container shipments from China to Kazakhstan and further to Russia, Europe, Central Asia and the Caspian region. By the end of the year, it is expected to transport 250,000 containers and by 2020 – 500,000.
  • Kazakhstan's construction of the Kazakh section of a 2,700-km Western Europe–Western China highway will be completed this year. It is expected that after the commissioning of the highway, freight traffic on the Kazakh section will reach 30 million tonnes per year.
  • China Railway Group (CRG) will help build the 22.4 km light railway in Astana, which will have 18 stations and one depot, according to the bilateral deal signed in May this year.
  • A dozen more projects in steel, smelting and cement are expected to kick off next year.
  • Other areas identified for enhanced cooperation include energy and coal exploitation, as well as the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy such as nuclear power, uranium exploitation, and the production and supply of nuclear fuel. China General Nuclear Power Corp. (CGN) signed an agreement with Kazakhstan's Kazatomprom to jointly build a nuclear fuel assembly plant and mine uranium deposits in the central Asian country. Fuel assembly manufacturing output is expected to reach 200 tonnes enriched uranium, with further expansion of production for third countries.
  • Logistics, customs, aviation transportation, agriculture, localities, and utilization and protection of trans-border rivers were also discussed.
  • In terms of technological research and development, institutions and companies will be encouraged to explore areas for cooperation, especially in agriculture, as bilateral agricultural investment and trade is also a key area for cooperation, according to the joint communique.
  • China is ready to support Kazakhstan to hold the World Expo in Astana in 2017 and share its experience of organization and post-event utilization of facilities.
  • The two sides will enhance technological, cultural, media, and youth exchanges, and a "Year of Tourism" in Kazakhstan will be held by China in 2017. The two sides will strengthen cooperation in areas including health care and the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
Sources:

Note:
  • Kazakhstan dominates the world's uranium production, see below link. The country is one of the three destinations for China strategic FDI (Foreign Direct Investment), along with Niger, Namibia on uranium industry.
 
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Another Overseas Nuclear Power Plant Project? Wow, sweet winning.
China Nuclear Technology Market is on the way ! :yahoo:

Kazakhstan is the Biggest country in Central Asia, and will become China Strategic Ally in Central Asia region. Nice ! :D
 
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Another Overseas Nuclear Power Plant Project? Wow, sweet winning.
China Nuclear Technology Market is on the way ! :yahoo:

Kazakhstan is the Biggest country in Central Asia, and will become China Strategic Ally in Central Asia region. Nice ! :D


Kazakhstan has no active nuclear power plant nor solid plan to build any so far, probably China (or Russia) may build one in the future, not sure yet. The deal is about uranium industry i.e. a nuclear fuel assembly plant, and mine uranium deposits.

Kazatomprom
  • It is the national atomic company set up in 1997 and owned by the government. It controls all uranium exploration and mining as well as other nuclear-related activities, including imports and exports of nuclear materials.
  • In 2009 it became the world's leading uranium producer, with almost 28% of world production, then 33% in 2010, 36% in 2011, 36.5% in 2012, and 38% in 2013.
  • The company has forged major strategic links with Russia, Japan and China, as well as taking a significant share (10%) in Westinghouse (subsidiary of Toshiba since 2006).
  • In mid-2014 Kazatomprom reported that 55% of Kazakh uranium production was exported to China.
  • The latest deal is about further expansion and upgrading of existing cooperation between Kazakhstan & China on uranium industry.
  • Source: Uranium in Kazakhstan | Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan
 
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China Deploys First Nuclear Deterrence Patrol
China reportedly deployed its first-ever submarine nuclear deterrence patrol. What does it mean?

By Benjamin David Baker
December 19, 2015

During the Cold War, nuclear deterrence was ultimately perceived to be an effective way of keeping tensions between the Warsaw Pact and NATO from exploding into war. Although much of the rhetoric surrounding Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) disappeared along with the Soviet Union, nuclear states still keep sizable arsenals to dissuade others from attacking them.

A central part of having a credible nuclear response option is to develop a so-called “nuclear triad.” This consists of having ground-, air- and sea-based nuclear capabilities, in order to retain a “second strike” capability in case an opponent launches its nukes first. Submarines and small, mobile land-based launch platforms armed with nuclear ballistic and so-called Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs) are crucial to a second strike capability, since they are difficult to detect and target.

China has recently achieved some important milestones with regards to both these capabilities. According toIHS Jane’s, U.S. military officials confirmed that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has deployed aType-094 Jin-class nuclear-powered ballistic submarine on a nuclear deterrence patrol. If true, this represents the first time that China has deployed a sub on this kind of mission.

Due to the secrecy surrounding China’s military in general, it is impossible to confirm whether this boat is actually armed with nuclear-tipped missiles. However, U.S. four-star Admiral Cecil Haney is assuming so:“Have they put the missile we’ve seen them test, in for a package that is doing strategic deterrent patrols? I have to consider them today that they are on strategic patrol.”

If this were to be the case, it would represent a new development for Beijing’s nuclear strategy. As previously reported by Tong Zhao for The Diplomat, Chinese nuclear warheads have usually been kept apart from their missiles during peacetime. A part of the reason for this is to demonstrate what China calls its policy of “no first use” — that it would not be the first to use nuclear weapons in a conflict and would use them only in retaliation for hostile nuclear attacks.

Another reason warheads are kept separate is the Chinese Communist Party’s need for political control over its strategic military assets. Separating warheads from missiles allows for a greater centralized control over the nuclear arsenal, which is estimated to number around 300 warheads. Chinese authorities fear giving a submarine commander control over the launch of nuclear missiles and worry that one of the military’s hawks could ignore the party’s nuclear chain of command and order a nuclear strike on his own. Although keeping the warhead and missile separated on a submarine nuclear deterrence patrol is rather impractical, this deployment also shows a new level of trust given by Beijing to its naval commanders.

The missiles in question are in all likelihood the Julang-2 (CSS-NX-5,) the sea-based version of the Dongfeng-34 (CSS-9.) The JL-2 has been under development since at least 1983 and has a reported maximum range of 8,000 – 9,000 kilometers, according to Globalsecurity.

Furthermore, China also recently tested one of its land-based ICBMs. According to the Washington Free Beacon, the Second Artillery Corps successfully fired a long-range Dongfeng-41 ICBM on December 4. The latest flight test demonstrated the use of MIRVs. The missile launch and dummy warheads were tracked by satellites to an impact range in western China.

It was the second flight test this year of the DF-41 and the fifth since 2012, when the missile was tested for the first time. U.S. intelligence assessments suggest that the missile will be capable of carrying between three and 10 warheads. The two most recent missile flight tests took place August 6, also with two dummy warheads, and just over a year ago, on December 13. As Franz-Stefan Gady has previously reported, the DF-41 has a reported range of between 12,000-15,000 kilometers, which covers all of the United States and most of Russia. Gady notes,“The most recent U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission report notes that the missile could be already deployed this year; however, a 2018-2020 time frame appears much more likely, according to independent experts.”

As Zachary Keck over at The National Interest has written, there are plenty of reasons to worry about China’s nuclear development (click here and here.) The new Jin-class nuclear patrol necessarily has a nuclear-armed coastal state in mind (India or the United States, most likely) while the MIRV-armed DF-41 might trouble Russia. While Russia is trying to modernize its conventional forces, it is still dependent on its massive nuclear arsenal to deter NATO and China from infringing on its interests. Beijing’s development and testing of its MIRV-armed DF-41 probably isn’t winning any points in Moscow.

Ironically, today’s situation is similar to the Cold War, when China was desperately attempting to acquire nukes to dissuade the Soviet Union and the United States from any military adventurism.

How does that old saying go again? “History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.”

China Deploys First Nuclear Deterrence Patrol | The Diplomat
 
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Before China has always focused on peaceful development, but judging from current situation, if push comes to shove, and China has to change her strategy, it's a time tested fact that if China truly sets her sight on something, she can develop anything in leaps and bounds.
 
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A welcome development, a good deterrence against troublemakers.
 
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China unveils software for independent nuclear power technology

2015-12-18 08:52

Xinhua

Editor: Gu Liping


China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) made public the country's first software package tailored to its own nuclear power technology on Thursday, a crucial step for exporting nuclear construction.

"This package covers the design, manufacturing, installation, testing and operation of a nuclear power project based on our Hualong One design. It will pave the way for China to export entire nuclear power projects and technologies," said Luo Qi, head of the China Nuclear Power Institute, one of the software developers under the CNNC.

The Hualong One design is the country's third generation of nuclear reactor design for safer and more efficient operations that will be widely adopted in both domestic and overseas nuclear power projects.

The software package, called NESTOR, consists of 68 pieces of software that will help with more efficient reactor design, safety analysis, live tests, nuclear refueling and emergency response systems for a plant based on the Hualong One design.

The state-owned CNNC invests in, builds and operates nuclear power plants.

The software was developed by CNNC in cooperation with various research institutes, including those from Tsinghua University, Xi'an Jiaotong University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

According to Yu Peigen, CNNC deputy general manager, some of the software is already in use by domestic nuclear power plants and developers will keep updating them to match the next generation nuclear power development.

China unveils software for independent nuclear power technology
 
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Approval for four new Chinese reactors

17 December 2015

China's State Council yesterday approved the construction of two more units at each of the Tianwan and Fangchenggang nuclear power plant sites.

In an executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang, the State Council agreed that it is important to speed up the construction of hydropower, nuclear power and other clean energy projects.

The council gave its approval for units 5 and 6 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant in Jiangsu province. These units will feature 1080 MWe ACPR1000 reactors and will be 50% owned by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), 30% by China Power Investment and 20% by Jiangsu Guoxin Asset Management Group.

It also approved the construction of two Hualong One reactors as units 3 and 4 of the Fangchenggang plant in Guangxi province. These units are owned 61% by China General Nuclear (CGN) and 39% by Guangxi Investment Group.

Construction permits must be issued by the National Nuclear Security Administration before building of the new units can officially begin.

According to a State Council statement, the meeting "stressed the need to strengthen project investment, construction quality and operation management of nuclear power projects, which must adhere to high standards and strict requirements to ensure safety".

New Tianwan units

Construction of Tianwan 5 and 6 was originally scheduled to start in early 2011. However, following the March 2011 accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi plant, the Chinese government suspended the approval of new nuclear power projects. The Tianwan Phase III units were amongst those suspended.

Tianwan Phase I - units 1 and 2 - was constructed under a 1992 cooperation agreement between China and Russia. First concrete was poured in October 1999, and the units were commissioned in June 2007 and September 2007 respectively.

Tianwan Phase II - units 3 and 4 - will be similar to the first stage of the Tianwan plant, comprising two Russian-designed 1060 MWe VVER-1000 pressurized water reactors. First concrete for unit 3 was poured in December 2012, while construction of the fourth unit began in September 2013.

Fangchenggang expansion

Construction of the first two units - both CPR-1000s - at the Fangchenggang plant began in July 2010. The loading of fuel into the core of unit 1 was completed on 6 September this year and it achieved first criticality on 13 October. It was connected to the grid on 25 October. Unit 2 is scheduled to begin operation next.

A total of six reactors are planned to operate at the Fangchenggang site. Units 3 and 4 are planned to be based on Hualong One reactors, and units 5 and 6 are to be AP1000s.

CNNC has already started construction of unit 5 of its Fuqing nuclear power plant in Fujian province based on its version of the Hualong One design. CGN has earlier said it plans to start construction of Fangchenggang units 3 and 4 - for which its own version of the reactor design has already been approved - later this year.

Fangchenggang 3 and 4 will be the reference plant for the proposed Bradwell B plant in the UK. CGN has agreed to form a joint venture company with EDF Energy to seek regulatory approval for a UK version of the Hualong One design.

Approval for four new Chinese reactors
 
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DECEMBER 18, 2015

CHINA GENERAL NUCLEAR WINS DEALS

China General Nuclear Power Group, one of China’s two nuclear power plant builders, recently signed agreements paving the way for future projects in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Romania and other countries targeted by the Chinese government’s One Belt, One Road initiative.

CGN said Nov. 23 it reached a deal with Malaysia’s Edra Global Energy, giving the Chinese company equity stakes and future development rights tied to 13 power plants operated by Edra in five countries. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Twelve Edra plants are powered by natural gas and one burns coal. The plants’ combined installed capacity exceeds 6.6 million kilowatts. Most are in Southeast Asia, but three are in Egypt and three in Bangladesh.

In October, CGN signed an agreement with Romania’s state-owned power company to finance, build and operate two new units at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant site in southeastern Romania.

The Cernavoda site is home to two nuclear units. CGN, which has been involved in the Cernavoda project since 2010, will build units three and four.
 
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China Secures Canadian Uranium Supply Amid Nuclear Expansion

Stephen Stapczynski sstapczynski

December 21, 2015 — 11:32 PM EST

China plans to take a stake in Fission Uranium Corp. that includes a supply deal allowing it to buy up to 35 percent of the Canadian mining company’s annual uranium production.

CGN Mining Co., a unit of state-owned China General Nuclear Power Corp., will invest C$82.2 million ($59 million) for a 19.99 percent stake in British Columbia-based Fission, which specializes in exploration and development of the Patterson Lake South uranium deposit in Canada’s Athabasca Basin.

“It signals to the market that China is still committed to nuclear energy as it continues to add investments in uranium as fuel, despite the poor global economy,” Rob Chang, managing director of metals and mining research for Canada at Cantor Fitzgerald LP, said by e-mail. “It’s China’s first foray into Canada, which marks a departure from most of its uranium supply investments, which have been primarily in the less stable African nations.”

China is aiming to have 58 gigawatts of nuclear-generating capacity by 2020. Of the 64 reactors currently under construction globally, 21 are in China, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“China is the leader, by far, of new nuclear power plants,” Fatih Birol, executive director of the Paris-based International Energy Agency, said during a briefing in Tokyo on Monday. “China is opening a new chapter in the nuclear industry.”

China Secures Canadian Uranium Supply Amid Nuclear Expansion - Bloomberg Business
 
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China inks nuclear power partnership deal with Thailand
2015-12-24 15:40:54

China and Thailand reached an agreement Wednesday to cooperate on a nuclear power project in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) announced on Thursday.

According to the agreement, CGN, Guangxi Investment Group Co. Ltd., and Thailand's Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Public Company Limited (RATCH), a subsidiary of the state-owned Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, will team up to establish a joint venture to develop, construct and operate the second phase of the nuclear power plant in Fangchenggang City.

The project is a pilot site for Hualong One nuclear power technology, the country's third-generation nuclear reactor design, which was jointly designed by CGN and China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC).

Rum Herabat, chief executive officer of RATCH, said the project has the support of the Thai government. He said he hopes cooperation with China will help Thailand train talent and gain experience in nuclear power development.

The project will also serve as a bridgehead for China's nuclear power technology to expand in the ASEAN market.
 
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