China should develop own nuclear power technology: expert

Beijing (CNS) -- China needs to close the innovation gap in nuclear power technology, Chen Bingde, chief engineer at the Nuclear Power Institute of China (NPIC) told CNS on Saturday.

China is designing and constructing the third generation of nuclear power plants, characterized by the highest safety standards as always, stressed Zhao Qizheng, spokesman for the fifth meeting of the 11th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Although China has previous experience with developing its own nuclear power plants, the core and majority of technological components are based on improvements on imports from the 1970s, explained Chen, also a member at the CPPCC.

In his view, China needs to step up nuclear power innovation in order to catch up with the world's giants in the field, the U.S. and France.